Inside: l Canada set to recognize Tatar deportation as genocide – page 7 l Review: At The Ukrainian Museum’s film festival – page 9 l Ribbon-cutting highlights renovations at Bobriwka – page 17

ThePublished U by thekrainian Ukrainian National Association, Inc., celebrating W its 125th anniversaryeekly Vol. LXXXVII No. 26-27 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30 -JULY 7, 2019 $2.00

Ukrainian delegation bolts, Ukrainian Day advocacy event held in Washington Zelenskyy ‘disappointed’ as PACE reinstates Russia RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service Ukraine’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has walked out in pro- test and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has voiced his “disappointment” over Russia having its voting rights reinstalled at the body after a three-year hiatus. In a June 25 statement on his Facebook page, President Zelenskyy said he tried to convince French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in separate meetings to not allow Russia back into Europe’s main human rights body until it meets PACE’s demands on adherence to princi- ples of rule of law and human rights. Ukrainian Day participants at the breakfast briefing session. “It’s a pity that our European partners didn’t hear us and acted differently,” Mr. Zelenskyy said of the lop- and a former co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian sided vote from the Council of Europe’s 47 member On the agenda: Russia sanctions, Caucus, delivered observations from the perspective of states, where only 62 of the 190 delegates present energy security, occupation of Crimea, Congress. “Members of Congress highly value and appreci- ate the efforts of their constituents to visit Washington, opposed a report that made it possible for Russia to continued U.S. assistance to Ukraine return to the chamber. D.C., to discuss issues of importance to them,” stated Mr. In his statement, Mr. Zelenskyy cited a specific rul- Gerlach. “It’s your responsibility and duty as civic-minded ing by a U.N. maritime tribunal to have Russia comply UNIS individuals and constituents to provide your viewpoint and by June 25 to free 24 Ukrainian seamen whom it has seek congressional support for those issues that enhance held since November 2018. WASHINGTON – The first Ukrainian Day advocacy event U.S. national security interests.” Ukrainian delegation member Iryna Herashchenko, sponsored by the Ukrainian National Information Service Joining in opening remarks were Stefan Romaniw, first who is first deputy chair of Ukraine’s Parliament, said (UNIS), the Washington public affairs bureau of the vice-president of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) and that the “Ukrainian delegation challenged the creden- Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), was Andriy Futey, president of the Ukrainian Congress tials of the Russian murders.” held on Wednesday, June 12, in the nation’s capital. Nearly Committee of America (UCCA). Both accentuated the PACE’s decision to reinstate Russia marked the first 50 community activists from 11 states descended upon necessity for these advocacy events to be held as often as time that a major sanction imposed on Moscow for its Washington to promote issues of concern, including a possible as a means of expressing the concerns of annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea region in March 2014 robust Russia sanctions regime and enhanced U.S. assis- Ukrainian Americans. has been reversed. tance to Ukraine. In an overview of the issues facing congressional action, A total of 118 parliament deputies agreed to wel- The full-day of events began with a breakfast briefing UNIS Director Michael Sawkiw Jr. briefed the participants come Russia back into PACE immediately and to blunt session in the Rayburn House Office Building, during which on the topics to present during their meetings with con- the assembly’s ability to impose sanctions similar to several speakers cited the importance of advocacy events gressional offices on Capitol Hill those on Russia in the future, while 10 abstained. for Ukrainian American concerns. Jim Gerlach, former congressman from Pennsylvania (Continued on page 10) (Continued on page 16) Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus on 100th anniversary tour PARSIPPANY, N.J. – The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America presented its Centennial Concert Series over the weekend of June 21-23 in three cities: Washington, New York and Philadelphia. In New York City, at the famed Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, the chorus, which traces its beginnings to the Kobzar Choir founded in 1918 in Kyiv, performed before a capacity crowd on Saturday, June 22. The 100th anniversary tour also took the chorus to the Ukrainian Catholic Shrine of the Holy Family in Washington on Friday, June 21, and the Temple Performing Arts Center in Philadelphia on Sunday, June 23. Later in the year, concerts will be held in Detroit on Sunday, October 6, and in Toronto, on Sunday, UBC November 10. The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus during its concert at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. 2 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 No. 26-27

ANALYSIS

What the return of Kolomoisky Troop pullback in Stanytsia Luhanska Relations Committee, on April 11 had intro- duced the bipartisan Stopping Malign Ukraine’s armed forces have begun to Actions from Russian Terrorism (SMART) might mean for Ukraine pull back from the town of Stanytsia Act, which requires a determination on des- Luhanska in the Luhansk region, one of only as a means to increase the chances of ignation of the Russian Federation as a state by Alla Hurska six civilian crossing points along the securing friendly forces in the next sponsor of terrorism. Following the Eurasia Daily Monitor 450-kilometer line of contact in the Donbas Verkhovna Rada. announcement on June 19 by the Public war zone. In a Facebook post, Ukrainian Lt. Billionaire Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Apart from politics, Mr. Kolomoisky also Prosecution Service of the Netherlands that Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, commander of the Kolomoisky returned to Ukraine on May 16 still must see to his vast business interests it will prosecute four individuals, including Joint Forces Operation in the Donbas, said – his first time back in the country since in Ukraine. Since the presidential election, three Russian nationals, for the rocket soldiers left “one of their positions” at the June 2017, when he had to leave due to an Mr. Kolomoisky has enjoyed a string of attack that downed Malaysia Airlines Flight checkpoint at noon. A seven-day ceasefire unfolding conflict with then-President favorable judicial decisions pertaining to 17 in 2014, Sen. Gardner stated, “Russia’s preceded the withdrawal of troops, tweeted Petro Poroshenko over Privatbank his many current or former holdings, espe- abhorrent actions around the world, includ- Varvara Pakhomenko, head of the Ukraine (Gordonua.com, May 16). The businessman cially in the cases involving Privatbank, ing support for terror groups in Ukraine and mission for humanitarian group Geneva has well-known ties to Ukraine’s newly Zaporozhsky Ferroalloy Plant (ZFP), Syria, the chemical weapons attacks on the Call. “I witnessed [a] historic moment,” she elected head of state, the former comic and Ukrnafta and Ukraine International soil of a NATO ally, and interference in elec- said while posting a picture of the crossing actor Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and is strongly Airlines (Radiosvoboda.org, May 31). tions around the world, should be more suspected of having supported or possibly On April 18 – three days before the sec- point. The Organization for Security and than enough to formally label Putin’s Russia even financed the latter’s presidential cam- ond round of presidential elections – the Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which moni- what it is – a state sponsor of terrorism. paign (see Eurasia Daily Monitor, February District Administrative Court of Kyiv satis- tors adherence to the Minsk truce between With this bill, Congress is demonstrating 11, 13, April 23). fied a lawsuit filed by Mr. Kolomoisky the Ukrainian military and Moscow-backed firm bipartisan resolve against the Kremlin’s Along with Mr. Kolomoisky, two of his against the National Bank of Ukraine militants, welcomed the move. Yasar Halit mendacity and I hope it will move quickly to close associates, Timur Mindych (co-owner (NBU), ruling that the nationalization of Cevik, the OSCE’s chief monitor in Ukraine, pass the Senate.” (Ukrainian Canadian of the media firm 95 Kvartal and a former Privatbank in December 18, 2016, was ille- expressed his team’s “full readiness to mon- Congress Daily Briefing) business partner of Mr. Zelenskyy) and gal (Epravda.com.ua, April 19). Mr. itor the disengagement process.” He said Austrian Court: Firtash can be extradited Andrii Shypko (a parliamentary deputy Kolomoisky wants either the total return of additional monitoring patrols had been dis- from the Vidrodzhennya party), also ownership or compensation in the amount patched to the area, which is located 15 kilometers northeast of the regional capital Austria’s Supreme Court has upheld a arrived in Ukraine (Hromadske.radio, May of $2 billion (Epravda.com.ua, May 23). The decision allowing a request by the United 16). NBU and the Finance Ministry, in turn, have of Luhansk. “The [OSCE] mission is also con- ducting remote observation with cameras States to extradite Ukrainian tycoon On May 28, Mr. Kolomoisky stated that declared they would fight the ruling. Dmytro Firtash, the latest twist in the case Mr. Shypko is likely to be appointed However, on the basis of previous experi- and unmanned aerial vehicles,” Mr. Cevik said. The Russian-backed armed units in the for the oligarch who has been fighting Ukraine’s next minister of health ence (since June 2018, the NBU has filed against extradition since his 2014 arrest in (Novynarnia.com, May 28). A number of 147 lawsuits against Mr. Kolomoisky that area have also begun withdrawing from their positions and their representatives Vienna. Following the court ruling on June individuals tightly linked to the oligarch largely came to naught despite multiple 25, a final decision will be made by already serve in the top echelons of power instances of overwhelming evidence), the said it will take three days to complete. Stanytsia Luhanska has been a flashpoint Austria’s justice minister on whether to in Kyiv. They include Andriy Bohdan, a for- oligarch is again quite likely to emerge vic- execute the request. Accompanied by his mer Kolomoisky lawyer and today the head torious. since April 2014, when the military conflict in eastern Ukraine started. A bridge was wife, Lada, and several bodyguards, the of the Presidential Administration (who, Importantly, Mr. Kolomoisky and his industrialist walked out of the courthouse blown up there in early 2015, rendering it rumors suggest, is currently trying to business partners had become targets of stonefaced in the Austrian capital without only passable by foot. In 2018, the United become more independent) (Liga.net, June multiple lawsuits abroad as well – primari- commenting. U.S. authorities have been Nations earmarked funds to repair the 5). On May 29, Maksym Donets – reported- ly in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, investigating Mr. Firtash since 2006 on sus- bridge, but constant fighting has made ly, a former security guard of Mr. where he holds residency, and the United picion of bribery and forming an organized infrastructural improvements impossible in Kolomoisky (Apostrophe.ua, May 29) – was States, where cases were opened at the crime group. Specifically, he was indicted in the area. It is just one of two crossing points appointed head of the State Security request of the Ukrainian government 2013 and is wanted in a U.S. federal court in the Luhansk region. The U.N. says more Service of the President of Ukraine (i.e., the (Deutsche Welle – Ukrainian service, June in Chicago as part of an alleged bribery than 13,000 people have been killed in the president’s dedicated bodyguard service) 7). On May 21, the nationalized Privatbank scheme involving titanium supplies for air- conflict, and 1.5 million more internally dis- within the Department of the State Guard filed a lawsuit against its former owner, Mr. craft giant Boeing. Based in Chicago, Boeing placed – the biggest displacement of people (of which he simultaneously becomes dep- Kolomoisky. The case, which is being is not charged in the case, although it has on the European continent since World War uty head) (President.gov.ua, May 29). The reviewed by the Delaware Court of Justice, said that it did consider doing business II. (RFE/RL) new deputy head of the Presidential states that the oligarch was using the with Mr. Firtash. No agreement, however, Administration, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, is also Cypriot branch of Privatbank for money Sen. Gardner: Russia sponsors terrorism was ever signed. Mr. Firtash has denied any connected to the oligarch (Pravda.com.ua, laundering, with the total cash flow during wrongdoing and has said the extradition May 22). Additionally, Oleksandr fiscal years 2006-2016 allegedly amount- U.S. Sen. Corey Gardner (R-Colo.), a Tkachenko, a producer and a long-term ing to $470 billion (approximately twice senior member of the Senate Foreign (Continued on page 12) CEO of 1+1 Media group (owned by Mr. Cyprus’s GDP in the same period). If con- Kolomoisky), will take part in the July firmed, the case would be the largest Ukrainian parliamentary election as a money laundering affair in history (Censor. member of Mr. Zelenskyy’s Servant of the net.ua, June 5). he krainian eekly FOUNDED 1933 People party (Thebabel.com.ua, June 9). Importantly, the U.S. Federal Bureau of T U W Apart from this, Mr. Kolomoisky is main- Investigation (FBI) has also launched an An English-language newspaper published by the Ukrainian National Association Inc., taining friendly relations with Arsen investigation against Mr. Kolomoisky con- a non-profit association, at 2200 Route 10, P.O. Box 280, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Avakov, the current minister of internal cerning possible financial crimes, including Yearly subscription rate: $90; for UNA members — $80. affairs, with whom he met on May 20 – the money laundering. Due to the wide range Periodicals postage paid at Caldwell, NJ 07006 and additional mailing offices. day of Mr. Zelenskyy’s inauguration of investigations and charges against him, (ISSN — 0273-9348) (Hromadske.radio, May 23). Mr. Kolomoisky had to move to Israel, Reportedly, upon his return to Ukraine, which (like Ukraine) does not allow extra- The Weekly: UNA: Mr. Kolomoisky spoke with Yulia Tymo­ dition of its citizens (Pravda.com.ua, April Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 644-9510 Tel: (973) 292-9800; Fax: (973) 292-0900 shenko, the head of the Batkivshchyna 8). party, three times in the month of May Meanwhile, the scandal involving his Postmaster, send address changes to: alone (Korrespondent.net, May 24). Mr. Zaporozhsky Ferroalloy Plant (ZFP) has The Ukrainian Weekly Editor-in-chief: Roma Hadzewycz 2200 Route 10 Editor: Matthew Dubas Kolomoisky himself has said he will sup- raised strong suspicions that Mr. P.O. Box 280 port Ms. Tymoshenko in the upcoming par- Kolomoisky gained influence over the Parsippany, NJ 07054 e-mail: [email protected] liamentary elections (Pravda.com.ua, May Constitutional Court of Ukraine (CCU). The 27). Moreover, it has been revealed that the ZFP is one of the largest Ukrainian enter- The Ukrainian Weekly Archive: www.ukrweekly.com oligarch is currently “advising” a new politi- prises. In October 2018, the National Anti- cal project, the so-called “party of mayors” Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) The Ukrainian Weekly, June 30-July 7, 2019, No. 26-27, Vol. LXXXVII (notably including Hennadiy Kernes and accused the plant of embroilment in a mas- Copyright © 2019 The Ukrainian Weekly Gennadiy Trukhanov, respectively, the sive corruption scheme (Censor.net.ua, municipal executives of Kharkiv and Odesa June 7). On June 5, however, the CCU de – the two main economic “arteries” of facto blocked the NABU from conducting Ukraine) (Pravda.com.ua, May 23). further anti-corruption investigations into ADMINISTRATION OF THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY AND SVOBODA Thus, it would appear that Mr. the metal producer controlled by Mr. Walter Honcharyk, administrator (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 Kolomoisky’s “political agenda” in the run- Kolomoisky (Ukrinform.ua, June 6; Interfax, and advertising manager fax: (973) 644-9510 e-mail: [email protected] up to the July 21 snap parliamentary elec- June 7). Following the Constitutional tions is premised on his determination to Subscription Department (973) 292-9800, ext. 3040 e-mail: [email protected] make a bet on as many players as possible (Continued on page 11) No. 26-27 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 3

NEWS ANALYSIS Moscow faces trial in The Hague next year over downed MH17

by Pavel Felgenhauer the war-torn Donbas. Additional indict- forces harassed them and cut their supply celed; but the Russian/rebel Buk M1 crew ments may be pending (Interfax, June 19). had already been alerted that a high-value Eurasia Daily Monitor lines. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian outposts According to Mr. Westerbeke, the trial in were under orders not to shoot back. target was coming. It is, therefore, possible Repercussions of the downing of The Hague could last up to a year; and Ukraine’s military then began sending in to speculate that the relatively primitive Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777 Flight 17, while the actual culprits will likely be transport aircraft to parachute supplies to radar targeting equipment of the Buk M1 which was shot down over the occupied absent, Russia will be in the dock. its beleaguered troops. These aircraft flew launcher did not allow the crew to recog- Donbas of eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in at altitudes over six kilometers to avoid nize the difference between an An-26 and continue to haunt the Russian authorities. flatly rejected all of the JIT’s findings, the enemy’s manned portable surface-to- the Malaysian Boeing 777, which was hit by Everyone on board – 283 passengers, denouncing them as “unfounded accusa- air missiles (MANPADS). “mistake” (Novaya Gazeta, July 11, 2015). including 80 children and 15 crew mem- tions based on dubious information sourc- MH17 was overflying the Donbas region Instead of stonewalling and constantly bers – was killed. The 298 victims were es” and complaining that “data submitted to higher than 10 kilometers and seemed safe. lying, Moscow could have tacitly – without from 10 different countries, but most were the investigation by Russia continues to be What the Ukrainian command apparently taking full legal responsibility – recognized from the Netherlands. A Dutch-led interna- willfully ignored” (Mid.ru, June 19). Moscow did not know at the time was the introduc- a measure of guilt in the tragedy of tional Joint Investigation Team (JIT) contin- has indeed spent time and money in a major tion of Russian Buk M1 missiles capable of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 by, say, agreeing ued its work throughout all these years. public relations effort to prove the improba- shooting targets at up to 18 kilometers. to pay compensation to the families of the Finally, on June 19, Dutch prosecutors ble: that Flight 17 was hit by the Ukrainian According to Ukrainian Lt. Gen. (ret.) Igor victims. The United States did something charged the first four suspects: Igor military, which then framed the Donbas reb- Romanenko, a rebel (Russian) spy texted a similar in 1988, when the USS Vincennes mistakenly shot down Iran Air Flight 655, “Strelkov” Girkin, Sergey Dubinsky, Oleg els and Russia. Inter alia, the Russian mili- message on July 17, 2014, about a resulting in the loss of all 290 people on Pulatov and Leonid Kharchenko – all of tary accused the Ukrainians of using a Ukrainian An-26 military transport propel- board, including 66 children. The U.S. war- them pro-Russia “rebel” commanders asso- Soviet-built Su-25 Frogfoot attack plane to ler-driven aircraft taking off to fly over ship confused Flight 655 for an attacking ciated with the Moscow-backed separatist shoot down MH17 – a scenario whose Donbas to the Russian border on an aerial Iranian F-14 jet. “Donetsk people’s republic” (DPR). Today, details were technically impossible. The Buk supply mission. The spy’s message was the accused reside in Russia – with the pos- producer Almaz-Antey ran a series of elabo- intercepted and the An-26 flight was can- sible exception of Mr. Kharchenko, who rate and costly explosion experiments to (Continued on page 15) may still be in the Donbas. “prove” Ukrainian guilt. In July 2015, Russia The Russian Constitution forbids extra- vetoed a United Nations Security Council diting its nationals for trial, so the Dutch (UNSC) draft resolution that would have set prosecutors announced they will not both- up an international tribunal to investigate Zelenskyy to visit Canada in July er to send a formal extradition request. The and prosecute those involved in the MH17 trial is planned to begin in The Hague on case. Today, the trial is scheduled to happen to attend Ukraine Reform Conference March 9, 2020, in absentia. in The Hague regardless, under Dutch law, RFE/RL rity situation in the region, and how to fur- The Netherlands’ chief prosecutor, Fred and Moscow will have even less control over ther deepen Canada-Ukraine commercial Westerbeke, told journalists the four the proceedings than if it had allowed a tri- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy relations,” according to a statement by the accused did not directly “press the button” bunal under UNSC auspices. is scheduled to travel to Canada in early July Canadian prime minister’s office. that launched the surface-to-air Buk M1 The Dutch authorities are not seeking a to take part in a major donor conference The two countries “share a deep and his- missile (known in the West as the SA-11 confrontation with Moscow, and Mr. and hold talks with top Canadian officials. toric friendship built on shared values and Gadfly) that destroyed MH17. But they, nev- Westerbeke offered a plausible way out of The Ukrainian presidential office said in strong people-to-people bonds,” Prime ertheless, were in charge of deploying and the impasse, by suggesting the destruction of a statement that during his July 1-3 visit, Minister Trudeau said. guarding the Buk M1 as it was moved from Flight 17 happened by “mistake,” if the so- Mr. Zelenskyy will hold meetings with During his meeting with Mr. Zelenskyy, the 53rd Air Defense Brigade in Kursk, called rebels mistook the Boeing 777 jet for a Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mr. Trudeau said he will “reaffirm Canada’s Russia, into firing position near Snizhne, in Ukrainian military transport aircraft (which Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, commitment to the Ukrainian people, and the Russian/militant-controlled part of the could have been a legitimate target in a war members of Parliament and business rep- discuss ways to deepen our economic part- Donbas (Interfax, June 19). zone). Yet, according to Mr. Westerbeke, even resentatives. nership and create good, middle class jobs Mr. Westerbeke accused Russia of failing if such an interpretation is plausible, the trial President Zelenskyy with also attend the in both of our countries.” to cooperate: “We have proof Russia was must still go ahead for the court to decide Ukraine Reform Conference in Toronto, Since 2015, Canadian armed forces have involved in this tragedy, this crime. They the gravity of the crime (Interfax, June 19). which is due to run from July 2 to July 4. trained more than 12,000 members of the knew almost immediately what actually In the summer of 2014, the Ukrainian Co-hosted by Canada and Ukraine, the Ukrainian Army as part of Canada’s mili- happened but continued to withhold infor- military attempted to re-establish control gathering will bring together more than tary training mission in Ukraine, UNIFIER, mation.” In the absence of truthful Russian- of the Russian-Donbas border to stop the 300 people, including foreign affairs minis- according to the statement. provided official information, the Dutch inflow of arms and men and suffocate the ters, heads of international institutions and More than 1.3 million Canadians are said prosecutors plan to use their own expertise Moscow-inspired and Russian-backed civil society activists, to discuss and sup- to trace their ancestry to Ukraine. and data, which will be produced during the rebellion. But Kyiv’s plan devolved into a port Ukraine’s reform process. coming trial to pinpoint the culprits who total disaster: A string of Ukrainian out- Mr. Zelenskyy was inaugurated as presi- With reporting by DPA. fired the Buk M1 at MH17 and who ordered posts on the border were bombarded from dent on May 20. His visit to Canada will Copyright 2019, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted the launcher with missiles to be sent into the Russian side while Russian/militant come ahead of snap parliamentary elec- with the permission of Radio Free Europe/ tions in Ukraine set for July 21. Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, On the sidelines of the Toronto confer- Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see ence, Messrs. Zelenskyy and Trudeau will https://www.rferl.org/a/Zelenskyy-to-visit- U.S. signs new memorandum with Ukraine discuss “Ukraine’s reform efforts on its canada-in-july-to-attend-reform-confer- on destruction of conventional weapons path to Euro-Atlantic integration, the secu- ence/30020783.html). U.S. Department of State and international standards for physical security and stockpile management. FOR THE RECORD: United States On June 25, the U.S. Department of State From 2004 to 2018, the U.S. released information about a new memo- Conventional Weapons Destruction pro- comments on indictment in MH17 case randum of understanding with Ukraine on gram has invested more than $40 million in the destruction of conventional weapons. support of Ukraine’s effort to address the The following statement by U.S. Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Following is the text of that release. legacy of the large quantities of convention- Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo was Malaysia and Ukraine. al arms and ammunition inherited after the released on June 19. We again extend our deepest sympa- Today, the United States and Ukraine dissolution of the Soviet Union. In 2018, as thies to the families and friends of the signed a new memorandum of understand- the lead nation for the NATO Partnership The United States welcomes the victims and call for justice on behalf of ing on Conventional Weapons Stockpile for Peace Trust Fund, the United States announcement today regarding the the 298 innocent civilians who lost their Management. Signed by Assistant Secretary funded the destruction or demilitarization indictment of four individuals for their lives on that day. of State for Political-Military Affairs R. of over 1,700 metric tons of obsolete role in the downing of Malaysian Airlines We recall the U.N. Security Council’s Clarke Cooper and Ukraine Ministry of Soviet-vintage munitions in Ukraine. Flight MH17 on July 17, 2014. This is an demand that “those responsible … be Foreign Affairs Acting Director of the In recent years, we have extended this important milestone in the search for the held to account and that all states coop- Directorate of International Security Ruslan partnership to save lives by providing sup- truth, and we remain confident in the erate fully with efforts to establish Nimchynskyi, the memorandum sets out a port to clear landmines and other explosive professionalism and ability of the Dutch accountability.” All of those indicted $4 million U.S. contribution toward con- hazards along the line of contact between criminal justice system to prosecute today were members of Russia-led forces struction of six explosive storehouses over the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Russia-led those responsible in a manner that is fair in eastern Ukraine. We call upon Russia the next two years for the Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine. In 2018 alone, the and just. We fully support the work of to respect and adhere to U.N. Security Ministry of Defense. This project will U.S. government funded conventional weap- the Dutch authorities and the Joint Council Resolution 2166 (2014) and enhance the safety and security of Ukraine’s ons destruction efforts that cleared over Investigation Team (JIT), an independent ensure that any indicted individuals cur- munitions stockpiles, as well as advance 227,000 square meters (56 acres) of land criminal investigation led by the rently in Russia face justice. Ukraine closer to its goal of meeting NATO and returned them to local communities. 4 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 No. 26-27

National Deputy Dmytro Tymchuk, military journalist, found fatally shot

Euromaidan Press group on March 10, 2014, is found here: http://euromaidanpress.com/2014/03/ Dmytro Tymchuk, a military journalist, a 10/ukrainian-army-reserve-officers-create- colonel in the reserve who at the very onset information-resistance/). of Russia’s aggression against eastern Mr. Tymchuk described the work of the Ukraine in 2014 founded the Information group thus: Resistance group to expose Russian mili- “The initiative group is made up of the tary tactics, and a national deputy of the recently retired reserve officers such as People’s Front, was found shot dead on myself. This means that we do not have June 19 in Kyiv, Ukrainian police confirmed. bosses, we do not get paid for our work Artem Shevchenko, spokesperson for and, therefore, depend on nobody. We are the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said on the working on pure enthusiasm, and the only air of the Priamyi TV channel that Mr. force motivating us is patriotism.” Tymchuk’s wife had found him with a gun- “Incoming information is checked by at shot wound to his head. Law enforcers are least two, but normally three independent examining three versions: murder, suicide sources. …Each message we transmit is and careless handling of weapons. An backed up by the work of many people.” investigating and operational team is in “There is no point in lying. Aggressors place to learn the circumstances. need lies to cover up their vile intentions.

Anton Herashchenko, a deputy from the Euromaidan Press Only an idiot would answer lies by lying. As People’s Front, had originally written in a we see, the Russian propaganda nonsense Dmytro Tymchuk Facebook post that the tragedy happened is easy to rebuke (it suffices to recall the while Mr. Tymchuk was cleaning his award the NGO Center of Military-Political Ukraine’s snap parliamentary elections in fable about the crowd of ‘defectors’ from gun at home. But this version has not been Atudies. 2014, he was elected as a national deputy Ukrainian military units, or about the confirmed. Mr. Herashchenko has since After Russia’s annexation of Crimea and from the People’s Front political party. Hetman Sahaydachnyi [flagship] leaving edited his post. the start of the conflict in the Donbas, he Euromaidan Press had translated and Sevastopol). Our weapon is the truth.” Mr. Tymchuk, 46, had served in various became the coordinator of the group covered many of the works of Mr. Information Resistance proceeded to departments of the Ministry of Defense. In Information Resistance, thanks to which he Tymchuk’s Information Resistance Group cover the military action in eastern Ukraine 2008, he became the editor-in-chief of the became one of the most influential opinion in the first days of its activity (our first arti- based on its network of contacts in the mili- Internet project “Fleet-2017” and headed leaders on the Internet in Ukraine. During cle telling about the foundation of the tary.

Investigative journalist Vadim Komarov dies after brutal attack in Cherkasy

by Halya Coynash explained that somebody had knocked at Kharkiv Human Rights Protection his window. He assumed it was a person Group coming to read the gas or electricity meters and went outside. He had only poked his Journalist Vadim Komarov of Cherkasy, head around the side of the gate and was Ukraine, died on June 20 of injuries sus- able to slip back inside when he saw a man tained in a savage attack on the morning of aiming a gun at him. The shot hit the brick May 4. He had been in an artificially fence instead, and the assailant fled. induced coma ever since. There is nothing At the time, he said he believed the to suggest that the police have made any attack was linked to his investigations and progress in finding either those who car- material in local and Kyiv Internet publica- ried out the attack or, as seems likely, those tions, however, the police investigation was who ordered it. for “hooliganism” and no one was caught. As reported, Mr. Komarov was an inves- Mr. Komarov was in a coma for a month tigative journalist from Cherkasy known for and a half and, although he himself never hard-hitting material, including about cor- regained consciousness, it is hard to believe ruption and embezzlement by the local that there are no leads to a fatal attack in authorities. Procherk.info the center of the city. Mr. Makeyev writes Valery Makeyev, the secretary of the that he addressed some hard-hitting ques- Vadim Komarov National Union of Journalists and seemingly tions to the police two weeks ago “regard- a friend of the journalist, reported shortly It was evident from comments both the center of Cherkasy shortly after 9 a.m. ing absolutely obvious things linked with after the attack that Mr. Komarov had been from journalist colleagues and others writ- on May 4, a Saturday. Three blows had been the Vadim Komarov investigation which in expecting to receive some “shocking infor- ing on social media that Mr. Komarov was dealt to his head, with the weapon proba- my opinion are strangely eluding the atten- mation” on that very evening. Mr. Makeyev viewed as a person who touched on sub- bly a hammer or something similar. Neither tion of the investigators. He also suggests believed that this was from sources within jects that others wanted to see concealed. his mobile phone nor money were that the investigation seems unnecessarily the law enforcement bodies about how a There has been no information about removed, making it clear that robbery was secretive. He has so far received no answer high-ranking official in the City Council had the course of what has now become a mur- not a motive. to his questions. committed certain illegal actions and was der investigation since the police initially This was the second attack on Mr. Mr. Komarov was married with an adult allegedly trying to escape justice by pretend- called for witnesses of the attack. Mr. Komarov, after a person tried to shoot him daughter who is, or at least until the attack ing to be psychologically disturbed. Komarov was found lying on the ground in in September 2016. Mr. Komarov then was, living in Germany.

FOR THE RECORD: Persecution of Crimean Tatars in Russian-occupied Crimea

The following release was issued by the Ukrainian Crimea and parts of the eastern Ukrainian oblasts of Bekirov to a hospital due to ill health. Should Bekirov Canadian Congress on June 21. Donetsk and Luhansk. remain in the appalling condition of the Symferopol remand On June 18, five Crimean Tatars – Teymur Abdullaev, prison where he is illegally incarcerated, he could die. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) strongly con- Useir Abdullaev, Rustem Ismailov, Emil Dzemadenov and “The Russian occupation regime continues a systemic, demns the wave of political persecution against Crimean Aider Saledinov – were sentenced to a total of 68 years in reprehensible policy of targeted repression of the Tatars in Russian-occupied Crimea. The UCC calls on prison after being illegally deported from Russian- Crimean Tatar People, and all those who oppose Russia’s Canada and the international community to respond to occupied Crimea to Russia. The politically motivated, ille- illegal and brutal occupation of Crimea. The recent show the repressions with resolute action. gal show trial took place in the Northern Caucasus trial and mistreatment of political prisoners are the latest The UCC calls on the government of Canada to: District Military Court. The men were accused of the examples of Russia’s large-scale violations of internation- “crime” of supposedly belonging to Hizb-ut-Tahrir, a al law and abject contempt for internationally recognized 2017) to implement sanctions against Russian officials peaceful Muslim organization that is legal in Ukraine. All human rights,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, UCC national responsible• Use the forauthorities the egregious in the violationsMagnitsky of Act human (adopted rights in five men have long been recognized as political prisoners. president. “We call on Canada and the international com- of Ukrainian citizens; The Russian occupation regime has also failed to comply munity to resolutely respond to these disgraceful Russian with a binding order by the European Court of Human actions and significantly increase sanctions against those Russia’s economy until Russia ends its occupation of Rights to move Crimean Tatar political prisoner Edem responsible for implementing them.” • Significantly increase sectoral sanctions targeting No. 26-27 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY30-JULY 7, 2019 5

UNA CELEBRATES 125 YEARS: A snapshot from history, 1936

Seen in this 1936 photo from the Svoboda archives are staffers of the Ukrainian National Association Home Office, Svoboda adminis- tration and Svoboda print shop employees. First row, from left: Stella Levich Ryan, Mildred (Melania) Milanowicz, Irene Lenchuk Hawrylko, Mary Bodnar Herman and Paraska (Betty) Lefchick. Second row: Wolodymyr Kusznir, Stefan Turenchak, Evhen Parnicky, Joseph Silecky, Stefan Hladkyj and Stefan Shymon. Third row: John Napowanetz, Theodore Gill, Dmytro Krawetz, Dmytro Levitzky and Nicholas Yankowicz. The photo was taken at the entrance to the UNA building on Grand Street in Jersey City, N.J.

A photo archive of UNA his- tory has been launched on the UNA website. It is a work in progress that will be expanded and refined. To take a look, go to unainc.org/una/the-una-is- 125-years-old/.

St. Nicholas Brotherhood Society, together with UNA Branch 13, holds Father’s Day dinner

Slavko Tysiak Members of the St. Nicholas Brotherhood Society and UNA Branch 13 at their Father’s Day dinner. ALBANY, N.Y. – St. Nicholas Brotherhood hood, spoke of UNA’s 125th anniversary in Society, together with UNA Branch 13 2019 and told of the intertwined relation- members and guests, gathered to reinstate ship between the brotherhood and the a longstanding tradition of holding a UNA from their founding. Father’s Day Dinner. The Father’s Day dinner was held at the The tradition comes from the early days Capital Buffet, which gave rise to attendees of the UNA, when members referred to the trying to name as many different Asian organization by the honorific title of “Batko dishes as possible that could be traced to Soyuz.” The title was bestowed on the Ukrainian dishes such as “pampushky”’ and Ukrainian National Association in recogni- “varenyky.” Everyone left satisfied and look- tion of the deep feelings people held for the ing forward to 2020, when the St. Nicholas organization. Brotherhood will be celebrating its 125th Slavko Tysiak, president of the brother- anniversary. 6 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 No. 26-27

COMMENTARY The Ukrainian Weekly PACE betrays its own principles Fake news and lies about Ukraine On June 25, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), voted to almost double in Russian proxy ‘republics’ restore Russia’s voting rights. The vote was 118 in favor of the resolution, 62 against and 10 abstaining. Let us be clear: to regain its seat at the table, Russia did absolutely by Halya Coynash report honestly on events in the “republics” nothing to justify its reinstatement. Kharkiv Human Rights Protection are blocked. This means that the population Here’s the background. In 2014, after Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Group in the occupied Donbas is receiving infor- peninsula – an illegal act condemned by the international community – PACE called mation from channels that are overtly pro- the takeover a “clear contradiction of the Statute of the Council of Europe.” At that Disinformation about Ukraine in the pagandist and anti-Ukrainian. time, PACE denounced Russia, but did not completely suspend its delegation, hoping self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk Rather unexpectedly, given the above, to maintain dialogue. Russia’s parliamentary delegation was stripped of its voting “people’s republics” has almost doubled the monitors found that the level of hate rights, its members were not allowed to head committees, and Russia was prohib- over the last two years, with most of the speech directed against Ukraine had ited from participation in various PACE bodies and missions. Still, Russian delegates favorites for fake news the same as in the decreased, from 11 percent in 2017 to 5 could attend and speak at PACE sessions as well as vote on PACE committees. The Russian state-controlled media. Oksana percent now. The main target was the restrictions were continued in 2015. Romanyuk, whose Institute for Mass Ukrainian Armed Forces who were referred In 2016, Russia refused to participate in PACE, claiming that it was being “perse- Information (IMI) carried out the studies to as “punishers, “Nazis” and “sadists.” cuted” over the issue of Crimea, and in 2017 it stopped paying its membership dues. both two years ago and in April of this year, While the amount of fake material As a result, Russia faced suspension for non-payment. Before the 2019 summer ses- believes the Russian-controlled “republics” increased significantly, the general tonality sion of PACE, the Council of Europe met in Helsinki in May. At that time, foreign may be ladling on the fakes to compensate of the media remained largely unchanged. affairs ministers from member states voted for a declaration that said “all member for their dwindling power to influence the The media was most positive in covering states should be entitled to participate on an equal basis in the Committee of local population. the de facto local authorities, with 89 per- Ministers and in the Parliamentary Assembly.” Though Russia was not named, the IMI’s monitoring was, of necessity, only cent of the material positive and in compli- message was clear: Russia would be welcomed back. Russia’s Foreign Affairs of the available Internet media, since there mentary mode (as compared to 82 percent Minister Sergei Lavrov then reversed course, saying, “We do not refuse any of our is no safe way of carrying out public sur- in 2017); 11 percent of material was neu- obligations, including financial ones.” Ukraine’s Ambassador to Austria Oleksandr veys in the so-called republics. Even tele- tral. Not one instance of coverage was Scherba reacted appropriately in a tweet: “Russia plans to roll into PACE like it rolled phone surveys would be unlikely to give a found that was critical of the local authori- into Crimea – unpunished, arrogant and largely unopposed.” true picture, since respondents would ties. Then came the PACE session of June 24-28, and the ignominious vote of June 25. In almost certainly be afraid to answer hon- There was a lot less material about protest, the Ukrainian delegation to PACE walked out. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy estly. The Internet sites were monitored for Russia, but 85 percent of this was positive, wrote on Facebook that he had tried to convince the leaders of France and Germany fakes and disinformation, with this the with just 2 percent in negative colors. The that “the return of the Russian delegation to the PACE is possible only after Russia’s main area where there had been an alarm- latter were published before Russian compliance with the Assembly’s fundamental requirements,” adding, “Unfortunately, ing increase. While 11 percent of content in President Vladimir Putin issued his decree our European partners did not hear us and acted differently.” On June 26, PACE voted 2017 constituted disinformation, in April of simplifying the process by which residents to ratify the credentials of the Russian delegation, while emphasizing, yet again, that it this year 21 percent of “news” about of the Russian-controlled “republics” can is “committed to dialogue as a means of reaching lasting solutions.” According to news Ukraine was of dubious accuracy or out- get Russian passports. After that, all mate- posted on the PACE website, “…in return the Assembly called on Russia to fulfill a right fakes or disinformation. rial was positive. series of recent Assembly recommendations, citing among other things the release of In addition to information about the All of this is in marked contrast to cover- Ukrainian sailors, cooperation on bringing to justice those responsible for downing conflict which seriously clashed with those age of the Ukrainian government, with 49 Flight MH17, and taking measures to end violations of the rights of LGBTI people, provided by Ukraine’s operational head- percent of this negative and 45 percent especially in Chechnya.” PACE also said it would debate a report on Russia’s fulfillment quarters, there was also disinformation neutral. The remaining 6 percent that was of those obligations no later than the April 2020 session. Notice what is not men- about the language bill signed into law by positive all pertained to Mr. Zelenskyy’s tioned: the annexation of Crimea and Russia’s war in Ukraine’s east. the outgoing President Petro Poroshenko, election campaign, with Mr. Zelenskyy also The PACE delegations of Ukraine, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and about getting the least coverage (19 percent, as Slovakia issued a statement on June 26 to underscore: “The unconditional restora- the new president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. opposed, for example, to Mr. Poroshenko’s tion of the Russian delegation’s rights without the Russian Federation honoring any As mentioned, the latter subjects have also 63 percent). of the Assembly’s numerous demands runs counter to the core values of the Council been widely and, most often misleadingly, Russia’s hostile actions in offering of Europe and its Statute. This step sends a very wrong signal to the country that has covered by the Russian media. Given the Russian passports to Ukrainians in the resorted to armed aggression, poisoning of individuals, does not observe human widely circulated claims that Mr. Donbas were just the latest in ongoing rights of its citizens and does not promote but seeks to destabilize democracies Poroshenko was hoping to sabotage Mr. measures aimed at drawing the occupied throughout Europe.” The seven delegations said they were returning home for con- Zelenskyy’s inauguration, it seems likely territory closer to Russia. This is occurring sultations with their governments. that the “republics”’ also followed Russia in while Moscow claims it’s Ukraine that is So, the end result is this: as it marks its 70th anniversary, the Parliamentary pushing attempts to undermine the validity failing to implement the Minsk agreements. Assembly of the Council of Europe – which is supposed to be dedicated to upholding of the presidential elections. The elections that Minsk envisages must be human rights, democracy and the rule of law – has betrayed its principles. One can Such a high level of disinformation is of held in accordance with Ukrainian legisla- only question the future of this organization which is now severely compromised. major concern given that the vast majority tion. At present there are multiple obsta- of people in these areas have no access to cles to this, including the total lack of any Ukrainian media. One of the first things that free and objective media. Besides the infor- happened as soon as the Russian and pro- mation gleaned from the above monitoring, Russian militants seized control of an area this is evidenced by the fact that at the very in 2014 was that Ukrainian television chan- least two journalists, Stanislav Aseyev and June Turning the pages back... nels were taken off air, with Russian or mili- Oleh Halaziuk, are imprisoned after both tant channels using the frequencies. A large wrote honestly about what they observed Fifty-five years ago, on June 27, 1964, some 100,000 number of Ukrainian Internet sites, espe- around them in “Donetsk people’s repub- 27 Americans and Canadians of Ukrainian descent – and Ukrainians cially the ones like News of Donbas that lic.” from other parts of the world – witnessed the unveiling of the 1964 Taras Shevchenko monument in Washington. The ceremony featured keynote speaker President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who officially unveiled the monument. President Eisenhower in 1960 signed into law a measure to authorize the erection of the statue. UCCA appeals to President Zelenskyy President Eisenhower stated: “…Tyranny and oppression today are not different from tyranny and oppression in the to sign law on state recognition of Plast days of Taras Shevchenko. Now, as then, tyranny means the concentration of all power in an elite body, in a government bureau, in a single man. It means that the ultimate decisions UCCA inaugural speech that today in the world affecting every aspect of life rest, not with the people themselves, but with tyrants. … “there are 65 million of us... born of the Today the same pattern of life exists in the Soviet Union and in all captive nations. NEW YORK – The Ukrainian Congress Ukrainian soil.” And the law on state recog- Wherever communism rules there is forceful control of thought, of expression, and indeed Committee of America (UCCA) – an organi- nition of Plast would not only support the of every phase of human existence that the state may choose to dominate. zation representing more than 20 active Plast scouting movement throughout the “…In unveiling this memorial to the great 19th century Ukrainian poet we encourage national organizations of Americans of global diaspora, but also promote the today’s poets in Ukraine, in Eastern Europe and around the world to embody in their poet- Ukrainian descent – has appealed to Ukrainian identity of Ukrainian youth no ry mankind’s demands for freedom for self-expression, for national independence and for President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine to matter where they reside. liberty for all mankind. …It is not merely for today, but for all time to come that we today support and enact into law legislation “On The UCCA said it hopes that the president present to the world this statue of Taras Shevchenko, Bard of Ukraine and Freedom state recognition and encouragement of the of Ukraine will soon enact this long-awaited Fighter, to perpetuate man’s faith in the ultimate victory of freedom…” Plast National Scout Organization of and incredibly important legal recognition Prior to the unveiling, 40,000 Ukrainians, who were joined by representatives of cap- Ukraine” that was passed by the Verkhovna that will allow for closer cooperation between tive nations (of the Soviet Union and its satellite countries), led by Col. William Rybak, Rada on May 30. Ukrainian and American youth and will In its letter of support, the UCCA recalled strengthen the economic, political and cultur- (Continued on page 15) that President Zelenskyy had noted in his al ties between the two countries countries. No. 26-27 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 7

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM FAR No-drama volunteering AND WIDE at GoCamp in Ukraine by Marco Levytsky Canada finally set to recognize Tatar deportation as genocide Last month marked the 75th anniversa- when they pass by unanimous consent in ry of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin’s depor- the House of Commons – are a clear tation of Crimean Tatars. This tragedy is expression of the will of Parliament. Such known as the Sürgünlik, which means exile passage would be an unequivocal affirma- in the Crimean Tatar language. tion of an historical fact. Starting on May 18, 1944, 200,000 Furthermore, while Canada’s Parliament Crimean Tatars were dragged from their has officially recognized seven crimes homes by NKVD special forces in the dead against humanity as genocide, only the of night, packed into cattle cars, and Holocaust and the Holodomor have been shipped thousands of miles away. They recognized as such through legislation. The were left without food, water or shelter, other five (Armenia, 1915; Rwanda, 1994; and close to 30,000 died of hunger, suffoca- Bosnia, 1995; and the ongoing slaughter of tion and thirst. Approximately half subse- Yazidis by ISIS and the Rohingya in Nick Zavilinskyi quently died in the Central Asian steppes Myanmar) have been recognized through The volunteers’ oath during the GoCamp program’s grand opening in the city center due to hunger and disease. motions or resolutions. What’s more, the of Kyiv on June 7. Three countries have now officially rec- three other countries that have recognized ognized this as an act of genocide: Ukraine, the Sürgünlik as genocide, have done so by Kateryna Rohozhnykova esting topics, playing games and producing Latvia and Lithuania. After kicking this through resolutions. creative projects. issue around like a political football for two But Mr. Wrzesnewskyj had a few more The Revolution of Dignity was the driv- This year’s programs are: “Animal Planet” and a half years, Canada finally appears set rabbits to pull out of his hat. The best ing force for many public organizations and for the youngest; “Art and Creativity” for to become the fourth. But it has taken a opportunity came on June 10, when volunteer initiatives to take action, and this secondary school pupils; “Innovation and twisted road through the labyrinth of par- Russian pro-democracy opposition leader is the reason that nowadays many spheres Entrepreneurial Culture” for high school liamentary procedure to get to this stage. Vladimir Kara-Murza testified before the of life in Ukraine are supported by students; and “School as the Heart of the First, in December 2016, MP Kerry Foreign Affairs Committee about the wors- Ukrainians who care deeply about their Community” for children who live in villag- Diotte of the opposition Conservatives tried ening human rights situation in Russia and country. es and towns. to pass a Private Member’s Bill establishing increasing numbers of political prisoners All these organizations and programs Volunteers become not only teachers, but May 18 as a Memorial Day for the Sürgünlik incarcerated by the regime of Vladimir had to deal with strong stereotypes about also mentors for schoolchildren all over and recognizing it as a genocide. This was Putin. Mr. Wrzesnewskyj used the opportu- volunteering in Ukraine. The majority of Ukraine, including the Donetsk and Luhansk voted down 160-137 by the ruling Liberals nity to put a question to Mr. Kara-Murza because then-Foreign Affairs Minister foreigners think that Ukraine is a poor, regions. They explain to them that language about the plight of the Crimean Tatars and Stephane Dion did not consider the depor- unpleasant place; and the majority of is an instrument of communication; they whether he would support a finding of Ukrainians think that there is no way to tation as a genocide and the order came genocide regarding the Sürgünlik. “I think it share with the children their culture and down from the top to oppose that bill. restore Ukraine’s great stature. So the path would be very important to make such a help them to acquire leadership skills. (Canada has the most restrictive rules forward was not easy. recognition,” answered Mr. Kara-Murza. The program has become not only a regarding party discipline of all the major The biggest volunteering mechanism in This provided Mr. Wrzesnewskyj with platform for kids to study foreign languag- countries that follow the Westminster par- another opportunity, this one to give “notice Eastern Europe – GoCamp – also wasn’t an es, but also a great international communi- liamentary system – much more so than of motion” on the matter. After the 48-hour easy path. Four years ago, GoCamp orga- ty of 940 volunteers from all over the world Australia, New Zealand or even wait period, this motion was moved, debat- nized its first language camp to motivate who treat Ukraine as an independent, Westminster [United Kingdom] itself). Five ed and passed on June 13, getting unani- Ukrainian children to think globally. The beautiful and, what is more important, pos- Liberals, including Etobicoke-Center MP mous support from all members, including main aim of this program is to give more itive-thinking country. Wrzesnewskyj, broke ranks and supported the Conservatives, who at first tried to drag opportunities to Ukrainian children, to let “No-drama volunteering” is all about the it. Current Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia this matter out in committee hoping it them rethink their role in modern Ukraine, positive vibe of the volunteer experience, Freeland who, as a member of Cabinet (and would go away, but finally relented. and to give them the chance to become cre- with no disappointments, but with great as minister of international trade, Minister On June 19, the day before Parliament ators, not observers. hope in future improvements and a strong Dion’s immediate subordinate) could not recessed for the summer, the chair of the To bring this idea to life, GoCamp’s big belief in the power of a common desire to vote for it and expect to stay in the Cabinet, Foreign Affairs Committee tabled its report team used all possible instruments, includ- effect positive change. That is what conveniently chose to be absent from in the House. What that means is that this ing cooperation with ministries, embassies GoCamp promotes through various media Parliament on the day of the vote. expresses the will of the legislature and and businesses, crowdfunding platforms, channels, trying to convey this information But once she took over the foreign normally requires the executive (meaning fund-raising ideas and powerful social to Ukrainians and foreign volunteers. affairs portfolio from Mr. Dion, who subse- the minister responsible for foreign affairs) media activities. Coming to Ukraine, foreigners erase stereo- quently retired from politics, the obstacle to respond within 120 days. Mr. As a result, 144,000 schoolchildren, types and realize that they came not to a to Liberal recognition of the Sürgünlik as Wrzesnewskyj, however, stuck the word whose schools were carefully selected, have third world country, but to a modern soci- genocide was removed. As a result, Mr. “immediately” into the motion, which experienced a new method of studying for- ety with Internet banking, creative restau- Wrzesnewskyj decided to introduce a demands a much quicker response. As an eign languages. Through unique GoCamp rants and cheap mobile Internet. motion calling for the same things Mr. added measure it was passed unanimously, programs, they improve their English, Diotte’s bill had called for. In order to ease unlike most reports that contain a majority French or German, while discussing inter- (Continued on page 11) passage, he needed unanimous consent. He and minority position. got it from the Liberals, the smaller opposi- Ms. Freeland, as foreign affairs minister, tion parties and independents. But when has not made any official pronouncements push came to shove last month, it was the as of yet, but her media spokesperson, Conservatives who denied it. Adam Austen, on June 24 responded to my Their rationale was that a motion does persistent e-mails with the following state- not have the same clout as a bill, that there ment: “In 1944, hundreds of thousands of wasn’t enough consultation, and that Mr. Crimean Tatar children, women and men Wrzesnewskyj’s motivation was “more to were forcibly deported from the Crimean do with a desire to draw attention to him- peninsula by Soviet authorities. Canada self and not to the importance of the honors the memory of those who lost their Sürgünlik commemoration.” lives and those others who suffered so This was far-fetched to say the least. Mr. greatly, including by supporting this impor- Wrzesnewskyj went out of his way to con- tant motion.” sult with all parties. As for his motivation, So, it looks like Canada’s recognition the fact that in 2008 he withdrew his own may finally be forthcoming. However, the Holodomor bill in favor of one authored by tortuous route it has taken does not reflect Conservative MP James Bezan, speaks for well upon the performance of Canada’s itself. And the claim that a motion does not major parties. On the other hand, it does have the same clout as a legislated bill is stand out as a shining example of the tenac- nitpicking at its worst. Motions – especially ity of MP Wrzesnewskyj, who better than anyone understands how to maneuver Marco Levytsky may be contacted at through the maze of parliamentary proce- Participants write down the reasons they came to volunteer in Ukraine. [email protected]. dure rules. 8 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 No. 26-27 No. 26-27 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 9

FILM REVIEW: At The Ukrainian Museum’s film festival

by Adrian Bryttan Special to The Ukrainian Weekly NEW YORK – The Ukrainian Museum in New York has been hosting its UM Film Festival for 10 years now. For 2019, Programs Director Hania Krill-Pyziur selected and introduced four contemporary films, of which three were documentaries. Several directors and other experts were on hand to talk with movie lovers over three days from May 31 to June 2. Two of the films screened were clear hits, while the remaining two missed the mark. “Crimea: Russia’s Dark Secret,” 2018 Running a compact 48 minutes, “Crimea: Russia’s Dark Secret” is an excellent and moving documentary. It was pro- duced for Aljazeera broadcast by Lisa Yasko, founder of Yellow Blue Strategy NGO, which is devoted to pro-Ukraini- an cultural diplomacy through events and filmmaking. (Readers may recall that Ms. Yasko sang and played piano on the frigid Maidan barricades.) Director Jamie Doran is an award-winning Irish-Scottish independent documentary filmmaker and former BBC pro- ducer. Mr. Doran’s numerous films shed light on taboo sub- jects, and have been featured worldwide on PBS “Frontline,” BBC “Panorama,” Aljazeera and major TV net- Stills from the film “Our Ukrainian American Legacy” by Roman Brygider. works in Germany, Denmark and Japan. Huseyin Oylupinar, Ph.D., traveled from Harvard to Yet optimism still lives. While Mr. Dzhemilev is banned Many scenes show Ukrainian Americans transmitting deliver a prequel. Affirming that all Russian claims to from Crimea, his wife, Safinar, continues to live in their rich heritage. At a folk dance camp, two instructors Crimea are fraudulent, Dr. Oylupinar outlined how Bakhchisarai. She recently stated in an interview: “We’re recalled their favorite Ukrainian sayings: “I am an oak tree Ukrainian-Crimean Tatar relations over the centuries were not easily intimidated by Russia. We’ve dealt with them and nothing will break me” and “Truth will stab you in the mostly peaceful and even included periods of extended before. We know what a monster they are.” eye.” cooperation. Cultural relations between the two neighbors Following the documentary’s screening, Dr. Oylupinar A minor cavil with this documentary might be that per- were continuous. revealed little-known facts; following annexation, Russian haps too much material was included. Subjects range from By contrast, Russian narrative always portrayed leader Vladimir Putin offered Mr. Dzhemilev the presiden- the Budapest Memorandum and corruption under Crimean Tatars as nothing but plunderers and raiders, cy of Crimea. Mr. Dzhemilev refused. Later, “certain promi- President Leonid Kuchma to historians and community primitives who didn’t deserve their own homeland. And so, nent” member nations of the European Union offered him leaders, churches, organizations and festivals, and so much to establish Black Sea ports, Catherine II illegally annexed an “independent” Crimea. Mr. Dzhemilev again refused. more. Three or four different films might have been fash- Crimea in 1783. Many Crimean and Ukrainian activists are combining ioned from these topics alone. (Running time was listed 54 Following Joseph Stalin’s 1944 brutal deportations of over forces to help reclaim this territory. Clearly, the fate of the minutes, to this author, it clocked closer to 90 minutes.) 400,000 Crimean Tatars (an ethnic genocide), the return of two peoples remains linked, and they are committed to In sum, Mr. Brygider’s artistry and enthusiasm merit the any survivors from Uzbekistan in the late 1980s was tightly helping and supporting each other. highest praise. This film needs to be shown often in public controlled by the Russians. However, this was transformed Mr. Doran’s film has a literate script, fine pacing and forums, and every Ukrainian will be delighted. Hopefully, into a positive experience under an independent Ukraine, editing. It is enthusiastically recommended. Mr. Brygider’s artistry will inspire more such documentary with the eventual return of 250,000 Crimean Tatars to their This screening was coordinated with a moving exhibit at films. homeland. the Ukrainian Museum arranged by Ayla Bakkali, represen- “The First Company” (Persha Sotnia), 2018 But up to 60 percent of the Crimean Tatar population tative of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis in the U.S. It consisted of perished as a result of the original deportations. Today, photo portraits of embattled 80- and 90-year-old Crimean Why another film about Maidan or Donbas? after the Kremlin’s second illegal annexation in 2014, Tatars who returned to their homeland in Crimea after This film’s three directors were Yaroslav Pilunsky, Yury Crimea is under autocratic military administration during decades of exile. Gruzinov and Yulia Shashkova. All are members of a pro- an unprovoked Russian occupation. duction company of young filmmakers called Albatross This film outlines horrific details of Stalin’s deportations. “Our Ukrainian American Legacy,” 2018 Communicos. They announced that their film “The First Living in Kyiv, Mustafa Dzhemilev, leader of the Crimean The enjoyable “Our Ukrainian American Legacy” (OUAL) Company” (TFC), filmed in Ukrainian with English subtitles, Tatars, works to expose these Russian crimes. was the final film of the Festival. Of second-generation would “express the evolution of Ukrainian society in 2013- The central thrust of Mr. Doran’s powerful documentary Ukrainian heritage, director Roman Brygider created OUAL 2017.” They touted this movie as one that would “rip away is today’s extensive ongoing resistance within Crimea. in memory of his parents and grandparents, dedicating it the masks of civil society in times of conflict,” as a story of Following the first crackdowns in 2014, numerous disap- to all of today’s Ukrainian Americans “working for more “good and evil, hatred and love, disputes and reconciliation,” pearances, killings of activists and protesters, long incar- understanding of Ukraine, and for stability and peace in whose protagonists “against all odds retained their humani- cerations, endless “trials” and uphill battles for lawyers their homeland.” With three Emmy Awards to his credit as ty.” Ms. Shashkova was present at the screening to speak and have multiplied. a PBS producer for 18 years, Mr. Brygider described his answer questions. The Russian narrative of “long-awaited reunification” is documentary as a labor of love. Beginning with New Year champagne-popping euphoria belied by film clips of their heavily armored military pres- Mr. Brygider related how he lost contact with his roots in 2014 on the Maidan, TFC quickly establishes its running ence. Constant raids by the militia supported by the Russian while growing up on Long Island. In light of current events, theme: to expose the messy side of revolution and war. FSB (secret police) occur daily. Tens of thousands of he was struck by how little information there was about Maidan rallying cries (“Glory to the Heroes!”) are coun- Crimean Tatars fled to Ukraine from this “joyful reunion Ukrainian Americans. tered with anti-heroes: a man berating volunteers who with Russia.” In 2016, 1 million Americans had familial relations to stopped passing firewood during the singing of the Recently, police ransacked a Crimean Tatar’s home, then Ukraine. The film depicts their communities in three states: anthem, constant vulgar mocking of politicians, and a drummed up a “terrorist” charge after finding a Muslim New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. OUAL also dis- Maidan leader clamping down on drinking of alcohol. religious book. He was actually punished for live streaming cusses historical background to make today’s Russian wars This “reality” approach uncovers rarely seen activities: other similar raids. understandable. Mr. Brygider combines many new inter- Kyiv protesters run drills to carry back the wounded, and The Kremlin fears truth and is rewriting history for views with older footage to build up a mosaic of the life, troops argue over correct readings of artillery coordinates Crimea. A newly minted propaganda statue depicts a little activities and values of Ukrainian Americans. at Debaltseve. girl offering flowers to the “polite men” (the invading Locations include St. George Church in New York, the A soldier is punished for stealing army food to sell for Russian troops). Some 80,000 Ukrainian books were Ukrainian Homestead in Lehighton, Pa., and the Whippany alcohol, while shady scavengers try to abscond with any- destroyed following the invasion, and replaced by Russian Ukrainian Festival at the Ukrainian American Cultural thing of value in the vast garbage heaps at post-Maidan. indoctrination texts. The Russians shut down the only exist- Center of New Jersey in Whippany. Interview subjects Soon the story line of the “First Company” sinks amid the ing Crimean Tatar TV station. Jamala, the winner of the include: Prof. Alexander Motyl, Andrij Dobriansky of the confusing editing. Ultimately, this sprawling film becomes 2016 Eurovision Song contest (with her song “1944” about Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, “Yara Theater” difficult to sit through. On and on it lurches towards a trea- the deportation) was forced into exile in Ukraine. For both director Virlana Tkacz, Razom leader Maria Soroka, and cly ending – a baby’s birth at the frontlines. the Soviets and the Russians, a Crimean Tatar culture never Dora Chomiak, who launched UNIAN, a non-governmental And just how spontaneous was the dialogue in this doc- umentary? In one interview published in Ukraine, soldiers existed. news agency for Ukraine. asked: “Why was my scene not included in the final cut?” [According to QHA, the Crimean News Agency, Russia has Particularly memorable were the inspiring success sto- Following the screening, Ms. Shashkova stated that the now methodically destroyed or removed countless cultural ries of Ms. Soroka and Ms. Chomiak, president and devel- directors’ intent was a “neutral” document. However, a treasures from occupied Crimea. Under the pretext of “res- opment director, respectively, of Razom (Together) – a movie claiming to “rip away the masks of civil society” cer- toration,” priceless artifacts were robbed for the Hermitage thriving organization of savvy young volunteers with a sin- tainly intends to say something. For whom was this film Museum and “everything will be split apart into small piec- gle goal: to unlock the potential of Ukraine. The film intended? es to end up in private collections, and in its place will showed how Ms. Chomiak organized American neurosur- remain a heap of construction debris.” – Author’s note.] geons to go to Ukraine, and launched UNIAN. (Continued on page 16) 10 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 No. 26-27

Ukrainian Day advocacy... (Continued from page 1) The issues affecting the community include: sanctions against the NordStream 2 pipeline from Russia to Central Europe; increased defensive military assistance to Ukraine to deter continued acts of Russian aggression; an increase of Russia sanctions through the Defending American Security Against Kremlin Aggression Act of 2019 (DASKAA); work toward securing a diversified European energy sector; resolutions commemorating the fifth anni- versary of the Revolution of Dignity; and the promotion of additional members to the Ukraine caucuses in the House of Representatives and the Senate. As was the case with previous advocacy events, the intent of Ukrainian Day was to promote the Ukrainian com- munity’s contacts with its elected representatives in Washington. The significance of this effort was accentuated this year, as newly elected legislators make up 20 percent of the new 116th Congress, and knowledge of Ukrainian issues is critical in obtaining their future support. Following the briefing session, the community activists set out to meet with their respective senators and repre- sentatives to promote greater support for Ukraine. Joining Pennsylvania Ukrainian Americans, including members of UNIS Director Michael Sawkiw Jr. presents the the Ukrainian American constituents were community the Youth Civics Group, meet with Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa., Friend of UNIS award to Sen. John Barrasso leaders from the Central and East European Coalition center). (R-Wyo.). (CEEC), which encompasses 18 national ethnic organiza- tions that represent nearly 22 million Americans of Central literated name – Kyiv – as compared to the previous Ms. Bakkalli stated: “As a representative of the Crimean and East European descent. The UCCA was a founding Russia-based transliteration (Kiev). Kyiv will now appear Tatars, it is important that our presence and support be member of the CEEC in 1994. Together, the CEEC and the on all international signage. visible on the congressional and Senate sides as it relates to UCCA have co-sponsored advocacy events in Washington Several special guests from Ukraine were introduced at the work on H.R. 596, the Crimea Annexation Non- and issued policy briefs that summarize issues the CEEC the reception, including four members of Ukraine’s Recognition Act. I have been participating in the Ukrainian ardently advocates. Parliament: Hanna Hopko, chairperson of the Foreign Days advocacy events since 2014. I see it as a critical and Ukrainian Day participants visited nearly 50 offices in Relations Committee; Borys Tarasyuk, former foreign affairs highly effective platform to communicate to American offi- the Senate and House of Representatives. minister of Ukraine; Volodymyr Ariev; and Viktor Vovk. Ms. cials about the persecution and human rights violations Their meetings included stops at these Senate offices: Hopko and Mr. Tarasyuk thanked the U.S. Congress for its committed against the indigenous Crimean Tatars that are Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Dianne support of Ukraine-related issues, in particular helping to occurring daily on the illegally Russian-occupied Crimean Feinstein (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Robert deter Russian aggression in its various forms. peninsula of Ukraine.” Menendez (D-N.J.), Robert Casey (D-Pa.), Patrick Toomey This year’s recipients of the Friend of UNIS award Brad Freden, director of the Office of Eastern European (R-Pa.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), included Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), recognized for his Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, spoke of the State Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Thomas Carper (D-Del.), Tim unwavering attempts to halt the NordStream 2 pipeline to Department’s commitment to the continued sovereignty, Kaine (D-Va.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.). counter Russia’s monopoly of energy in Europe, and Rep. independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as evi- Also visited were the offices of the following representa- Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), co-chair of the Congressional denced by the Crimean Declaration issued in July 2018. tives: Don Beyer (D-Va.), Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.), Brian Ukrainian Caucus, cited for his leadership in the caucus, as Also in attendance at the reception were many congres- Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Andy Levin well as his advocacy of greater cybersecurity assistance for sional staffers and friends of Ukraine, as well as Myroslava (D-Mich.), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), Albio Sires (D-N.J.), Anthony Ukraine. Both elected officials expressed their sincere grat- Matwijiwskyj, a representative from the Ukrainian commu- Brindisi (D-N.Y.), Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), Marcy Kaptur itude for the award and mentioned the importance of con- nity in Great Britain. (D-Ohio), Michael Turner (R-Ohio), Anthony Gonzalez tinued efforts by the Ukrainian community to bring issues UNIS Director Sawkiw underscored that such advocacy (R-Ohio), Chrissy Houlihan (D-Pa.), Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), to the attention of Congress. events are essential for expanding the community’s influ- Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Lloyd Sen. Barrasso spoke of his recent trip to Ukraine and the ence on U.S. policy toward Ukraine. “Now our community Smucker (R-Pa.), Susan Wild (D-Pa.), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), need to continue supporting the country in its reform pro- has a chance to develop a closer relationship with our Jennifer Wexton (R-Va.), Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Eleanor cess. friends in Congress, as well as with newly elected Members Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), and other offices representing Rep. Fitzpatrick later mentioned: “I was honored to be of Congress. It is incumbent upon the United States to dem- areas where large Ukrainian communities reside. recognized by the Ukrainian National Information Service onstrate support for Ukraine through an increased Russia As is traditional, the advocacy event program also and thank them for their work. As co-chair of the sanctions regime and continued support for Ukraine’s included an evening congressional reception held in the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I have never wavered in my defensive forces. There are many important tasks that still Russell Senate Office Building to honor elected officials for support of Ukrainian sovereignty and condemning Russian lie ahead,” he noted. their efforts to support greater U.S.-Ukraine relations. aggression. I will continue to stand with the Ukrainian peo- Of unique importance was the participation of over a The newly enthroned metropolitan of the Ukrainian ple, who have demonstrated time and again their will for a dozen students from the Youth Civics Group of the Catholic Church in the U.S., Archbishop Borys Gudziak of sovereign and democratic country.” Ukrainian Heritage School of the Philadelphia metropolitan Philadelphia, graciously delivered the invocation for the Ayla Bakkalli, representative of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis region. The group, consisting of high school students with event. The reception was also highlighted by remarks from at the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the an affinity for public service and civic-minded activism, vis- UWC First Vice-President Romaniw, UCCA President Futey U.S. representative of the World Congress of Crimean ited various congressional offices during their meetings. and Ambassador Valery Chaly, Ukraine’s envoy to the Tatars, also addressed remarks to those gathered. She Iryna Galaj and Eugene Luciw serve as the youth group’s United States. The ambassador relayed information that related the tragic 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s the capital of Ukraine will now be spelled by its true trans- illegal deportation of Crimean Tatars from the peninsula. (Continued on page 11)

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich., third from left) meets with constituents from Michigan’s Virginia Ukrainian American constituents meet with Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va., center). Ukrainian American community. No. 26-27 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 11

Michigan constituents meet with Rep. Andy Levin (D-Mich., third from left). Rep. Levin’s father, former Rep. Sander Levin, established the Congressional Ukrainian New Jersey constituents meet with Congressional Ukrainian Caucus member and Caucus in 1997 and was the sponsor of the Holodomor Memorial legislation. previous Friend of UNIS honoree Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J., seated).

Virginia commented on their Ukrainian Day experience. Service and the Ukrainian Genocide of 1932-1933. A com- Ukrainian Day advocacy... “This was our first Ukrainian Day participation, but not our plete list of congressional actions to support newly intro- last. The day was very well organized and extremely grati- duced bills and resolutions in support of Ukraine was also (Continued from page 10) fying. We were able to speak with staffers of our congress- included in the advocacy folder. mentors and have provided leadership and guidance in men, inform them of issues in Ukraine, ask for their contin- Understanding that not everyone was able to attend the their civic activism. ued support. And they were very receptive,” said Ms. Ukrainian Day advocacy event in June, UNIS encourages In commenting on their experience in Washington, Tunstall. the Ukrainian American community to make every effort to these future leaders of the Ukrainian community said they In all of the advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill, the par- meet with elected officials at their respective local district conveyed messages about Holodomor education and ticipants of Ukrainian Day presented members of Congress offices. Copies of the policy papers presented at Ukrainian awareness, a Ukraine that is free from foreign aggression, with various policy papers on issues of importance to Day may be obtained at the Ukrainian National and the importance of the United States building a strong enhanced U.S.-Ukraine relations, lists of the Congressional Information Service. relationship with Ukraine. The students had an opportuni- Ukrainian Caucus and the Senate Ukraine Caucus, as well Additional photos and information can be found on the ty to meet with various senators and members of Congress. as informational brochures about the Ukrainian Congress UNIS Facebook page and Twitter/Instagram feed, First-time participants Brian and Inya Tunstall from Committee of America, the Ukrainian National Information #UkrDays2019.

At the evening reception (from left) are: Metropolitan-Archbishop Borys Gudziak of Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, UCCA Philadelphia Branch Chairman Eugene Luciw, UCCA Philadelphia Branch External Affairs Coordinator Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio, center) meets with Ukrainian Day participants from Oxana Holubowsky, recipient of the Friend of UNIS award Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick Ohio. To Sen. Brown’s right is Andriy Futey, president of the Ukrainian Congress (R-Pa.) and UNIS Director Michael Sawkiw Jr. Committee of America.

What the return... No-drama volunteering... (Continued from page 2) (Continued from page 7)

Court’s decision, the Ukrainian state is at “If you want to change the world, start with children. This risk of losing up to $190 million – the cumu- message really resonated with my mission, and I am sure that lative sum of 93 illegal business deals over it will change the future of Ukraine,” says a volunteer from the four years, as identified by the NABU and United States, Amanda Sawyer, who spoke of the reason she later recognized as such by the Supreme had chosen Ukraine as her volunteering destination. Having Court of Ukraine (Espreso.tv, May 30). studied at Oxford, she knows about the leadership skills that Given Ukraine’s still-shifting political are essential for every recruiter in the 21st century: negotia- landscape following the inauguration of tion, mediation, critical thinking and delegation. President Zelenskyy, it is rather difficult to This young lady admitted that she had only one stereotype accurately forecast Mr. Kolomoisky’s strate- about Ukraine – one that actually was confirmed: “A stereo- gy or his next moves in either the political type about Ukraine was really warm, loving, hospitable peo- or economic spheres. However, it is evident ple, and when I came here that was exactly what I found. … that the oligarch is taking concrete steps to Never once have I felt unsafe, never once have I felt unwel- increase his control by cultivating political come, never once have I felt anything other than being a part support in the next Verkhovna Rada as well of a community.” as influencing appointments to key posi- That is what the no-drama volunteering experience is all tions in the Presidential Administration. about. For more information, readers may visit the website The article above is reprinted from gocamps.com.ua. Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, Kateryna Rohozhnykova is PR manager for the GoCamp pro- Nick Zavilinskyi www.jamestown.org. gram. She is from Kyiv. A volunteer from India tries Ukrainian food. 12 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 No. 26-27

news agency. Opponents held up anti-gay NEWSBRIEFS banners and shouted “Shame” as the pro- cession began. Police said nine people were (Continued from page 2) arrested on suspicion of preparing provo- case against him is politically motivated. A cations against participants in the Kyiv TO PLACE YOUR AD CALL Walter Honcharyk (973) 292-9800 x3040 Vienna Regional Court concurred with him Pride event. Organizers have said that their or e-mail [email protected] in an April 30, 2015, ruling to deny the goal is to promote “full respect” for the extradition request, but that decision was rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and SERVICES PROFESSIONALS reversed by a higher court in February transgender (LGBT) community. The Pride 2017. Additionally on June 21, a federal parade has been held in Kyiv since 2016. court in Chicago refused to throw out his (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, with report- foreign bribery and racketeering case. ing by AP and Current Time) Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer said that, since the alleged goal was to sell metals to EU prolongs Russia sanctions Boeing, her “venue is proper in the district European Union leaders have agreed to where an overt act was ‘intended to have prolong sanctions on Russia for its actions an effect.’ ” One of Ukraine’s richest men, in Ukraine. Meeting in Brussels on June 20, Mr. Firtash is also a former business part- the leaders extended the bloc’s economic ner of President Donald Trump’s ex-cam- sanctions against Russia, which mainly tar- paign chairman, Paul Manafort. Messrs. get the country’s energy and banking sec- Firtash and Manafort had a brief partner- tors, by six months. They also agreed to ship in 2008 to invest in New York City real renew sanctions for another year on an estate, though that deal never materialized. investment ban on the Crimea region. U.S. authorities also have accused Firtash of “Russia sanctions unanimously extended ties to Russian organized crime, allegations SERVICES for another six months because of a lack of that he denies. No such charge appears in Minsk Agreements implementation,” Firtash’s indictment. Mr. Firtash also was Preben Aamann, a spokesman for considered an important financier of the European Council President Donald Tusk, Party of Regions, and was involved in hiring tweeted. The EU, the United States and Paul Manafort, then a U.S. political consul- other countries have imposed sanctions on tant and lobbyist, in 2005 to help rebuild Russia over Moscow’s seizure of the the party after its then-leader, Viktor HELP WANTED Crimean peninsula in March 2014 and its Yanukovych, was defeated for the presiden- support for the separatists holding parts of cy by Viktor Yushchenko following the the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk Seeking lady for daily household work. 2004 Orange Revolution. (RFE/RL’s and Luhansk in a war that has killed some Includes cooking, cleaning, and caring Ukrainian Service, with reporting by 13,000 people since April 2014. Ceasefire for elderly parent. Live in, or Live out. Reuters and Politico) Location is in the State of Florida. Only deals announced as part of the Minsk accepting applicants with legal status. Kyiv Court: Saakashvili can run accords in September 2014 and February Tel.: 404-593-6500 2015 have failed to hold. (RFE/RL) A Kyiv court ruled on June 21 that former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is Constitutional Court OKs Rada’s dissolution eligible to run in Ukraine’s snap parliamen- Run your advertisement here, Ukraine’s Constitutional Court has ruled tary elections on July 21. The 51-year-old that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s in The Ukrainian Weekly’s Mr. Saakashvili released a video on his order to dissolve parliament and call early CLASSIFIEDS section. Facebook page showing the judge reading elections is legal. An official statement the ruling on the validity of his residency in released by the court on June 20 said 16 Ukraine. According to the election law, par- judges had ruled on the matter and that the liamentary candidates must be Ukrainian decision “is binding, final, and cannot be HOUSE FOR SALE: citizens who have lived permanently in appealed.” The president’s administration Ukraine for at least five consecutive years 5521 Route 23C, Jewett, NY celebrated the court decision, writing on its prior to the vote. The court ruled that Mr. Telegram channel, “Victory: Zelenskyy’s Saakashvili resided in Ukraine from near the Ukrainian Catholic Church at Hunter Mtn. decree on the dissolution of the February 23, 2014, to June 6, 2019 – even [Parliament] was recognized as constitu- 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, bi level with wrap around though he was deported for more than a tional!” Zelenskyy spokeswoman Iuliia porch. Hot tub and mountain views. The house is in year and stripped of his citizenship under a Mendel added in comments to RFE/RL that decree by former President Petro very good condition with essential furniture. $250,000. the administration found the decision “fair.” Poroshenko. Mr. Saakashvili leads the Ms. Mendel said the move to dissolve Movement of New Forces party that, Contact Romana Rainey, 518-589-1024. Parliament was “not the demand of [the] according to the latest polls, is not likely to president, this is the demand of the cross the minimum 5 percent threshold to No agents, pls. Ukrainian people.” She added, “Trust [in] win party representation in Parliament. Mr. the Parliament was only 4 percent and peo- Saakashvili, a former ally of Mr. Poroshenko, ple want to see [a] new Parliament.” served as governor of Ukraine’s Odesa President Zelenskyy issued a decree on Oblast for 17 months before resigning and May 21 – a day after his inauguration – to KULINSKI MEMORIALS accusing President Poroshenko of corrup- 809 SOUTH MAIN STREET • MANVILLE, NJ 08835 dissolve the Verkhovna Rada and declared tion. After the two fell out, Mr. Poroshenko that a new Parliament will be elected on TEL. 908-722-3130 FAX 908-253-0027 had Mr. Saakashvili deported from Ukraine July 21. However, some lawmakers defied TOLL FREE 800-458-5467 [email protected] on February 12, 2018, and stripped him of Mr. Zelenskyy, declining to discuss his pro- his Ukrainian citizenship. President posed changes in electoral legislation and • Serving Ukrainian families for over 60 years Volodymyr Zelenskyy reinstated Mr. • Over 40 granite colors to choose from appealing to the Constitutional Court to Saakashvili’s Ukrainian citizenship on May overturn his decree. (RFE/RL) • Custom etchings 28. Mr. Saakashvili returned to Kyiv the fol- • House appointments available lowing day. (RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service) 1,000-hrv banknote to be introduced • Serving the tri-state area Thousands join pride parade in Kyiv The National Bank of Ukraine will intro- • 5 minutes from South Bound Brook, NJ duce a new 1,000-hrv banknote featuring Thousands of supporters of LGBT rights the portrait of a prominent 20th century on June 23 marched in the Ukrainian capi- Ukrainian scientist, Volodymyr Vernadsky. tal Kyiv under a heavy police presence. The bank said in a statement on its website They marched in the center of the capital on June 25 that the new note, which will be while waving rainbow and Ukrainian flags, put into circulation on October 25, was as thousands of police and National Guard made necessary by “economic factors, troops stood by to ensure order. Organizers namely the size and dynamics of average of the March of Equality said about 8,000 wages, the amount of cash in circulation, people took part in the event. Several the share of cashless payments, and the Western diplomats also attended the rally. level of inflation.” The new banknote will be Organizers said they had invited Ukrainian the largest denomination of paper money President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to join the in the country. At current exchange rates, parade. “Unfortunately, there was no reac- the 1,000-hrv note would be worth about tion from the president,” Ruslana $39. Currently, the largest Ukrainian paper Panukhnyk, director of the NGO KyivPride that organizes the parade, told the AFP (Continued on page 16) No. 26-27 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 13 14 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 No. 26-27 No. 26-27 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 15

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE Philly seniors enjoy their camaraderie at the Ukrainian center and on trips

by Petrusia Sawchak JENKINTOWN, Pa. – An enthusiastic fun-loving group of seniors, who enjoy exploring new things and places to stimulate their minds, hold monthly meetings here at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center located on 700 Cedar Road. The meetings are often accompanied by fasci- nating programs and delicious lunches. On Wednesday, June 19, members of the Ukrainian American Senior Citizen Association (UASCA) held their last meeting before the summer break with a picnic-like luncheon in the Club Room. They had the opportunity to watch an interesting one-hour documentary film titled “Music of Survival,” which told the story of the original sev- enteen members of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus and how they were forcibly transported out of Ukraine in 1942 by the Nazis and kept in labor camps in Germany. The Bandurist Chorus survived World War II as a musi- cal ensemble and ultimately emigrated to the United States in 1949. (The Bandurists actually trace their roots to Kyiv in 1918 as the “Kobzar Choir” and faced many hardships under the Russians and later the Soviet government.) Their music and the bandura, the 60-stringed musical instru- Some participants of the Ukrainian American Senior Citizen Association in Philadelphia. ment native to Ukraine, became the symbols of Ukrainian patriotism and nationalism. the production of chocolate, followed by shopping and an The last trip of 2019 will be to Lancaster, Pa., on The film served as an impetus for seniors to attend the elaborate buffet lunch at the charming Hershey Circular Thursday, December 12, to see the American Music concert being held in Philadelphia at Temple University Restaurant. The seniors learned that Hershey Park is not Theater’s Christmas production of “Joy to the World.” featuring the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North just about amusement rides for youngsters. Seniors are encouraged to participate in as many trips America on Sunday, June 23, celebrating 100 years of play- On Tuesday, September 17, a fall excursion is being as they can. All trips are partially funded with grants from ing and singing the music of Ukraine. planned to Ellis Island, a small island in New York Harbor the Ukrainian Community Foundation of Philadelphia and During the meeting, several upcoming trips were dis- where more than 12 million immigrants were admitted to the Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union. cussed. Next up was a visit to the Hershey Botanical the United States from 1892 to 1954 when it closed. The president of UASCA is Osip Roshko, and members of Gardens. On the agenda was a tour of the indoor tropical Attendees will tour the museum and visit the Statue of the Program Committee who organize the trips are Nila Butterfly Atrium with exotic orchids, beautiful gardens Liberty, a symbol of freedom and democracy with a height Pawluk (chair), Borys Pawluk, Myrosia Hill, Anna Marie (built by Milton Hershey expressing his love to his wife) of 305 feet. It was a sculpture given from the people of Litynskyj, Anna Makuch, Petrusia Sawchak, Larysa Stebly, and the famous Hershey Chocolate World to learn about France to the people of the U.S. Oksana B. Tarasiuk and Ivan Yaworsky.

Moscow faces... (Continued from page 3) Ukrainian World Congress calls for volunteers The missile strike on MH17 was appar- to join parliamentary election observation mission ently unpremeditated and, it could be argued, the victims were accidental “collat- UWC The UWC welcomes applications for completed and sent no later than July 10 eral damage” in an ongoing armed conflict. short-term observation from volunteers to elections@ukrainianworldcongress. But instead of accepting the facts of the The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) is (excluding citizens of Ukraine or the org. deadly incident, Moscow launched a disin- calling for volunteers to participate in the Russian Federation) who can travel to Volunteers who were registered as UWC formation campaign, aggravating the situa- work of the UWC International Observation Ukraine to observe the electoral process; short-term observers during Ukraine’s tion into a PR disaster. It seems improbable Mission to Ukraine’s 2019 Elections (UWC temporarily or permanently reside in presidential election earlier this year need anyone in the Kremlin will have the cour- Mission) during Ukraine’s parliamentary Ukraine and are willing to observe the elec- to register once again with the Central age to take up Mr. Westerbeke’s offer and elections on July 21. toral process; or can observe the electoral Election Commission for the parliamentary try to make amends by tacitly accepting the The UWC Mission will monitor the process in one of Ukraine’s diplomatic mis- election in Ukraine. “mistake” narrative. As has happened many early parliamentary election in Ukraine sions abroad. Readers may direct any questions times before, it will require a new tsar tak- and provide assessments on the compli- The application package of documents, regarding the UWC Mission to Volodymyr ing over the Kremlin for Russia to move ance with Ukraine’s domestic law and its including the application form required for Kistianyk, coordinator of the UWC Mission, from full denial to disclosure on the commitments to the Organization for registration as a UWC short-term observer at +380977525177 (Ukraine, WhatsApp, downed civilian airliner. Security and Cooperation in Europe and with Ukraine’s Central Election Viber); or by e-mail to elections@ukraini- the Council of Europe, as well as other Commission, is available on the UWC web- anworldcongress.org. The article above is reprinted from international standards for democratic site, www.ukrainianworldcongress.org/. “I appeal to as many volunteers as possi- Eurasia Daily Monitor with permission from elections. In order to become a UWC short-term ble to join the UWC Mission and contribute its publisher, the Jamestown Foundation, The UWC’s Past-President Eugene Czolij observer during the parliamentary elec- to strengthening in a very meaningful way www.jamestown.org. heads the UWC Mission. tion in Ukraine, applications must be Ukraine’s democracy,” said Mr. Czolij.

the Ellipse to the monument site in the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America Derwinski (R-Ill.), Thaddeus J. Dulski (D-N.Y.), Turning... sweltering heat would require all of their and vice-president of the Shevchenko and Daniel J. Flood (D-Pa.); Hollywood actors physical stamina with yet some to be saved Memorial Committee of America. The U.S. Jack Palance and Mike Mazurki (both of (Continued from page 6) for the actual unveiling ceremonies.” national anthem was sung by the crowd Ukrainian descent); Miss U.S.A. 1964 gathered at the Ellipse (also known as Marchers included uniformed youth and an invocation was led by Metropolitan- Michelle Metrinko (also Ukrainian); and Dr. President’s Park South, the walkway within groups from Plast Ukrainian Scouting Archbishop Ambrose Senyshyn of the Stepan Wytwytsky, president of the the park is named the Ellipse) located south Organization, the Ukrainian American Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United Ukrainian National Republic in Exile. of the White House and began the three-mile Youth Association (and its affiliates around States. The benediction was led by The festivities included concerts and a march from the Washington Monument to the world), Organization of Democratic Metropolitan Ioan (Teodorovych) of the grand banquet at the National Guard the Taras Shevchenko monument site, locat- Ukrainian Youth (ODUM), Federation of Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the U.S.A., Armory, where guest speakers emphasized ed at the 2200 block of P Street NW in the Ukrainian Student Organizations (SUSTA), followed by the singing of the Ukrainian the significance of Shevchenko, not only for Dupont Circle neighborhood. Ukrainian Student Organization of Mykola national anthem. Ukraine, but for America and the free The Ukrainian Weekly’s Editor Zenon Mikhnovsky (TUSM), Zarevo Ukrainian Other notable guests at the unveiling world. At the conclusion of the banquet, Snylyk noted of the marchers: “Their faces Student Association and athletic associa- included Bishop Joseph M. Schmodiuk of the Shevchenko Freedom Awards were pre- alighted with joy and excitement in undis- tions. Others from community groups Stamford Eparchy and Bishop Jaroslav Gabro sented to numerous recipients. guised anticipation of the historic moment assembled according to states in alphabeti- of the Chicago Eparchy of the Ukrainian Source: “Shevchenko monument – A ‘new that was to come, they seemed to show no cal order. Catholic Church; and Archbishop Mstyslav Statue of Liberty’ – unveiled in Washington signs of travel fatigue nor any concern that The unveiling ceremony was opened by (Skrypnyk) of the UOC-U.S.A.; Congressmen by Gen. Eisenhower in solemn ceremony,” the long march [that took four hours] from Prof. Lev E. Dobriansky, president of the Michael A. Feighan (D-Ohio), Edward J. The Ukrainian Weekly, July 3, 1964. 16 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 No. 26-27

episcopal status of former head of the (non-canonical) Kyiv Ukraine. The agreement will allow students at NEWSBRIEFS Patriarchate Filaret as former metropolitan of Kyiv, while the Novopecherska School in Kyiv to study the Manitoba high so-called Kyiv Patriarchate “does not exist and never exist- school curriculum and earn a Manitoba high school diplo- (Continued from page 12) ed,” Patriarch Bartholomew said in a statement. The head of ma. “Manitoba is proud of its strong ties to Ukraine and money is a 500-hrv banknote that was introduced in the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, Sergey excited for this new partnership that will allow students in September 2006. (RFE/RL) Tomilenko, posted a scan of the official address to Ukrainian Kyiv to study the Manitoba curriculum,” said the province’s journalists from Patriarch Bartholomew, who met with him Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen. “We hope international Two Russian paratroopers drown in Crimea in Istanbul last week, on his Facebook account. In his high school students who graduate with a Manitoba diplo- Two Russian paratroopers have drowned during exercis- address, Patriarch Bartholomew reiterated his support for ma will consider Canada as an option for their post-sec- es in the Moscow-annexed Ukrainian region of Crimea. Ukraine and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and insisted ondary studies. The province’s post-secondary education Officials from Russia’s Southern Military Region said on June that granting it autocephaly “had nothing to do with politics system is internationally recognized for its leading-edge 26 that the two paratroopers, who served in the Russian or geopolitics,” as the Mother Church of Constantinople has facilities and first-rate educators, and is an excellent choice Army on a contract basis, died during routine parachute seen that, “for decades, if not centuries, Ukraine was not able for international students.” The agreement authorizes jumps at the Staryi Krym (Old Crimea) training field. “Two to enjoy complete freedom from external influences, espe- Novopecherska to offer a Manitoba Blended Program for contract servicemen from an airborne landing unit stationed cially from the Russian State.” He continued: “As for Filaret, grades 9 to 12, and allows students who complete all cred- in Crimea landed on the water surface and could not sepa- he was restored to his episcopal dignity as former its and program requirements to graduate with a Manitoba rate themselves from the parachute fittings in a timely man- Metropolitan of Kyiv. The so-called ‘Patriarchate of Kyiv’ high school diploma and a Ukrainian high school diploma. ner,” the report said, adding that the attempts to rescue the does not exist and never existed.” Patriarch Bartholomew Students will be encouraged to use the Manitoba diploma paratroopers failed. A special commission of the Airborne added: “We also profess, now that autocephaly has been to apply to Canadian post-secondary institutions. “We are Troops command and local law enforcement officials have granted, that it is the responsibility of the primate of the currently developing global educational partnerships as a opened an investigation, the statement said. Russia seized Orthodox Church of Ukraine, His Eminence Metropolitan part of our strategic plan,” said Irena Korbabicz-Putko, control of Ukraine’s Crimea in March 2014, sending in Epifaniy, to lead this historic Church, strengthening the unity principal, Novopecherska School. “Ukraine has a historical troops without insignia, securing key facilities and staging a of the Ukrainian people, inspiring Christian values based on relationship with Manitoba via diaspora and we are look- referendum deemed illegitimate by Ukraine and most other the Gospel, and making the gift of freedom a means to ing to collaboratively develop educational opportunities for countries. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by RIA Novosti, spread the good news of the New Testament.” (Interfax) students and teachers.” The agreement between Manitoba TASS, and Interfax) and Novopecherska School is the first Canada-Ukraine Manitoba agreement with school in Ukraine bilateral agreement that supports a dual program of stud- Bartholomew on Kyiv Patriarchate The government of Manitoba said on June 3 that it has ies leading to a high school diploma. (Ukrainian Canadian The Patriarchate of Constantinople has reinstated the signed a memorandum of understanding with a school in Congress Daily Briefing)

Vasya, while Vova watches from the barn loft, masturbating political commentary and gruesome shocks. At The Ukrainian... to a photo of the 203-foot-tall, stainless steel “Motherland” But even horror films have their rules; they require con- (“Rodina Mat”) monument in Kyiv. vincing visuals and detailed acting. For all the praise show- (Continued from page 9) In the second half of the film, Vova is wounded in the ered on Ms. Vitovska’s (Baba Prisya) prosthetics “adding As for concerned Ukrainians - yes, we know our soldiers zone by a lunatic “safari” of anonymous sadists. Prisya over 40 years” to this beautiful actress, the end result is were not properly equipped, motivated or trained, and had makes sure “the guilty ones, a judge and son, are sorry.” Her unconvincing. Her cheeks look like a chubby chipmunk, the to improvise on the fly. But then, why is there no descrip- condolences for those she maimed are expressed in a eye areas are too smooth, and she gambols around the sets tion of the decades of pervasive corruption in the military? “prayer” of profane vulgarity. like a young mountain goat. Why is there no mention of the shameful manner in which Super-feminist Prisya chases away radioactive swarms CG (computer graphics) effects are functional, but noth- the brave volunteers of the Right Sector, and the Azov and and screams at the helicopter warning inhabitants to evac- ing special. Don battalions, were not supported by Kyiv? uate the irradiated zone. By contrast, all the males in this Enfant terrible dramatist Mr. Arie has lived in Germany, Some casual viewers might wonder how such a nation fantasy are either twisted, mean-spirited and corrupt, or where he is also known for his art installations/perfor- of inept protagonists could ever succeed at anything. weak and ineffectual. mances. He declines to be called an artist, instead consider- The important question is: Does a country at war really Ultimately, Prisya murders and dices Vasya into a broth ing himself simply a “neo-conceptualist.” For Mr. Arie, the need a deconstruction of the “Revolution of Dignity”? for her daughter. Slava returns with antibiotics for her son, most important element is the idea-concept, which can (Some might call a more positive movie “propaganda,” but only to find two corpses, but with an exotic soup du jour, then be incarnated as a drama, installation, movie and even wouldn’t even that be more appropriate at this time?) waiting for her. Vova gets one of his wishes when he passes music. through a portal (“Gateway”) with his Baba – to finally He has no qualms about broaching taboos like cannibal- At the closing credits, this reviewer was left with the experience the Kyiv metro. ism. The irreverence of his “satire” (which can easily impression of just too many random trees, with only A smorgasbord of Grand Guignol horrors! This dark become cynicism) along with the glitter of his German glimpses of any forest. burlesque is calculated to challenge intellectuals to furrow “pedigree” have turned him into a darling for young “The Gateway” (Brama), 2017 their brows and plumb for some “deep meaning.” Is the Ukrainian actors who seek affirmation in Europe. resolute spirit of foul-mouthed, crazy Prisya supposed to Why are we so dazzled by film festival awards? Both Actor and screenwriter Andrij Witiuk introduced this inspire confidence for Ukraine’s survival? Are these twist- “The First Company” and “The Gateway” seem to have movie by filmmakers Volodymyr Tykhyy and Yulia ed, caricatured Polissia legends meant to provoke wonder been crafted to primarily deliver frissons for foreign art Shashkova. at our ancient ancestors’ wisdom? Is this surreal, over-the- house crowds instead of delivering life-affirming cinema “The Gateway” is a film adaptation of Lviv cult-figure top black comedy about Chornobyl supposed to lead us to a for Ukrainians. Pavlo Arie’s play “At the Beginning and End of Times,” deeper understanding of that heartrending tragedy? Modern Ukrainian cinema is still in its infancy. But it’s already staged in several cities. Mr. Tykhyy (a founding This overlong (108 minutes) film is burdened with cum- not too early to stop looking for validation among Western member of Ukrainian film group “Babylon’ 13”) deter- bersome episodes, with many static and “talky” scenes elites and instead to strike out on a path uniquely our own, mined to film in the actual location of the “Exclusion Zone,” betraying their stage origins. It also suffers from a mix of based on a sincere treatment of themes resonant for all in the village of Luchanky, near the nuclear meltdown in genres, with many detours into sci-fi fantasy, forays at Ukrainians. Chornobyl. (The HBO series about Chornobyl was also being broadcast at this time.) The principal cast members are: Irma Vitovska (Baba territory, kill people there, and you will still leave with Prisya), Vitalina Bibliv (Slava), Dmytro Iaroshenko (Vasya) Ukrainian delegation... everything.” and Yaroslav Fedorchuk (Vova). The movie was filmed The head of the Russian State Duma’s Foreign Affairs mostly in Ukrainian and some “surzhyk” (with small bits in (Continued from page 1) Committee, Leonid Slutsky, said PACE “made a huge step Russian), and has English subtitles. Five of the seven Dutch delegates, for example, backed toward defending the rights of national delegations.” The first hour consists of tedious verbal jousts and flash- the reversal. Russia’s delegation will not tolerate “any more sanc- backs. The central figure is age-old Baba (Granny) Prisya, On June 19, a Dutch-led international investigation had tions, no matter how insignificant,” Mr. Slutsky also said. spunky matriarch of an extended family of hapless misfits named three Russians and a Ukrainian as murder suspects In 2014, Russia was stripped of its voting rights in PACE who never evacuated the zone, and now scrape out their in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) five following Moscow’s takeover of Crimea. Russia responded existence in the dystopian swamps and forests of Polissia. years ago in which all 298 people on board were killed by a in 2016 by boycotting the assembly, and has since 2017 Swearing like an admiral, Prisya berates her daughter sophisticated Russian surface-to-air Buk missile. refused to pay its annual contribution of 33 million euros, Slava, whose husband abandoned her and their son, Vova. The assembly said this clarification of its rules was to roughly 7 percent of the council’s budget. This son has not been the same since schoolmates cracked “ensure that member states’ right and obligation to be rep- The country had threatened to quit the body altogether his skull trying to glimpse his Chornobyl-affected brain. A resented and to participate in both statutory bodies of the if its delegation wasn’t reinstated and it couldn’t vote on naif, Vova is terrified by his Baba’s tales of extraterrestrial Council of Europe is respected.” the next secretary-general to succeed Norway’s Thorbjorn “stalkers.” His birthday dream is to “bang lots of hookers” The assembly also invited the parliaments of Council of Jagland. and take a ride on the Kyiv Metro subway. Europe member states “which are not represented by a Germany and France have supported Russia’s reintro- Prisya is also a witch. She ingests hallucinogenic mush- delegation” to PACE to present their credentials during the duction to PACE, arguing that it’s better to have Russia rooms, rambles about river nymphs (“rusalky”), converses ongoing annual session. included to promote dialogue even if there are disagree- with an entity inside an old radio set, conjures “Einstein” (a That meant Russia can present a delegation to PACE on ments on issues. giant psychedelic catfish) and swears that blue space aliens June 25, paving the way for the country to participate in have taken over the Ukrainian Parliament. In her relatively the election of a new secretary-general for the Council of With reporting by AFP, TASS, and Interfax. more lucid moments, she professes to have horribly butch- Europe the next day. Copyright 2019, RFE/RL Inc. Reprinted with the permis- ered more than a score of SS soldiers in World War II. The head of the Ukrainian delegation to PACE, sion of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Slava plays an old accordion decorated with a huge Volodymyr Ariev, said the assembly’s decision sent “a very Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; www.rferl.org (see https:// swastika. She drops her pants for the visiting corrupt cop, bad message: Do what you want, annex another country’s www.rferl.org/a/pace-oks-russias-return/30018448.html). No. 26-27 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 17

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The Ukrainian Weekly, founded in 1933, is published by the Ukrainian National Association, Inc. Bobriwka shareholders help Bobriwka President Andy Kebalo (right) in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new addi- tions to the mess hall, including the front canopy.

by Andy Kebalo Kebalo, the designer and construction manager, held a brief talk on the stage design, followed up by a question and answer ses- COLEBROOK, Conn. – On Sunday, June 9, a small but enthusias- sion. tic group of donors and Bobriwka supporters attended a ribbon- Bobriwka staff members treated the guests to hot dogs and cutting ceremony for the new front canopy at Camp Bobriwka. hamburgers, washed down by Lvivske 1715 and other Ukrainian Please contact President Andy Kebalo welcomed the guests and thanked beers. A raffle was held for a set of hand-made Ukrainian embroi- Subscription Dept. donors for their support. A donors’ commemorative plaque was dery. The 2019 summer at Bobriwka is shaping up to be another presented and is planned to be forever enshrined in the rafters of busy one with returning events like Bandura at Bobriwka Reunion Tel.: 973-292-9800 the new canopy. and the Orlando Pagan School of Ukrainian Dance Workshop. Immediately afterwards, the guests were escorted into the Readers may follow Bobriwka’s social media posts on Facebook. ext. 3040 mess hall to view the progress of the new stage addition. Walter com/Bobriwka! or www.bobriwka.com.

PLEASE HELP UKRAINE GLOBAL SCHOLARS SUPPORT MORE STUDENTS! Ukraine Global Scholars is in the process of selecting a new cohort of nalists-2019 who will attend top-tier US boarding schools and colleges on full scholarships. UGS has arranged for nalists already admitted to US schools to do internships at top Ukrainian companies, generating signi cant impact for Ukraine until the beginning of the school year when they will be enrolled as full-time students.  is summer our students are interning at Deloitte, Transparency International, UNIT.City, East Europe Foundation, Mazars Ukraine among others.

To support UGS, please visit our website www.ukraineglobalscholars.org or contact Julia Lemesh, President, at [email protected] 18 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 No. 26-27 No. 26-27 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 19

July 10 Children’s concert of Ukrainian folk songs, with pianist July 20 Ukrainian Village Festival, St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Jewett, NY Serhiy Salov, Music and Art Center of Greene County, Parma, OH Cathedral, https://stvladimirs.org/fesitval.html [email protected] or www.grazhdamusicandart.org July 20-21 Surrey Fusion Festival, Ukraine Pavilion, Holland Park, July 12-14 Ukrainian Cultural Festival, Ukrainian National Foundation, Surrey, BC www.surreyfusionfestival.ca/ukraine Kerhonkson, NY Soyuzivka Heritage Center, www.soyuzivka.com or 845-626-5641 July 21 110th anniversary celebration and concert, Ukrainian July 13 Concert with soprano Kayleen Sanchez and pianist-composer Philadelphia American Citizens’ Association, [email protected] or Jewett, NY Paul Sanchez, Music and Art Center of Greene County, www.ukieclub.com [email protected] or www.grazhdamusicandart.org July 22-27 Icon Workshop II, “Archangel Icon,” Archangel Studios, July 13 53rd Gardenton Ukrainian Festival, Gardenton Ukrainian Carnegie, PA [email protected] Gardenton, MB Museum Grounds, 204-425-8197

July 13 Pitch tournament, Ukrainian National Home, July 25-28 St. Mary’s Ukrainian Festival, St. Mary Ukrainian Syracuse, NY 315-651-6536 or [email protected] McKees Rocks, PA Orthodox Church, www.ukiefestrocks.org

July 17-20 Badlands Ukrainian Days, Ukrainian Cultural Institute, July 27-28 Vatra weekend, Ukrainian Homestead, Belfield/ www.badlandsukrainiandays.com Lehighton, PA www.ukrhomestead.com or 610-377-4621 Dickinson, ND July 28 Ukrainian Festival, Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox July 18 Presentation, “The Big Three: Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill Buffalo, NY Church, 716-384-0738 or www.holytrinitybuffalo.com Stanford, CA During the Second World War,” Stanford University, Hoover Institution, http://events.stanford.edu/events/836/83698 July 29-31 Gerdany workshop with instruction by Lesia Lasiy, Music and Jewett, NY Art Center of Greene County, [email protected] July 19-21 Capital Ukrainian Festival, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian or www.grazhdamusicandart.org Ottawa Catholic Shrine, www.capitalukrainianfestival.com July 29 through Children’s Folk Singing Course with Anna Bachynsky July 19-21 Golf tournament weekend, Ukrainian American Youth August 9 and Melanie Serbay, Music and Art Center of Greene Ellenville, NY Association camp, www.cym.org/us-ellenville or 845-647-7230 Jewett, NY County, 518-263-4670 or [email protected]

July 20 Concert, Peter Nelson Jazztet, Music and Art Center of August 1-2 Pysanka workshop with Sofia Zielyk, Music and Art Center Jewett, NY Greene County, www.musicandartcenter.org or 518-989-6479 Jewett, NY of Greene County, [email protected] or www.grazhdamusicandart.org

Entries in “Out and About” are listed free of charge. Priority is given to events Ukrainian National Foundation gala advertised in The Ukrainian Weekly. However, we also welcome submissions from all our readers. Items will be published at the discretion of the editors to benefit the UNA’s two newspapers and as space allows. Please send e-mail to [email protected].

Performers at the Ukrainian National Foundation’s fund-raising gala will include (from left): Taras Petrynenko, Tetiana Horobets and Tonya Matvienko. PARSIPPANY, N.J. – As has become tradi- for his iconic song “Ukraino!” – which he tion during the annual Ukrainian Cultural performed to great acclaim at Soyuzivka Festival at Soyuzivka Heritage Center, this over the Labor Day weekend of 1991, soon year scheduled for July 12-14, the Ukrainian after Ukraine declared its independence. National Foundation is holding a fund-rais- Mr. Petrynenko was an active participant of ing gala banquet on Friday evening. the Orange Revolution and the Revolution This year’s gala, to be held Friday, July 12, of Dignity. beginning at 7 p.m., will benefit the newspa- Ms. Horobets, who is married to Mr. pers Svoboda and The Ukrainian Weekly, Petrynenko, is an Honored Artist of publications of the Ukrainian National Ukraine and a People’s Artist of Ukraine. Association, which is celebrating its 125th She became known as the soloist for the anniversary. Founded in 1893, Svoboda is group Hrono. She performs as a soloist and the world’s oldest continuously published in duos with her husband. Ukrainian newspaper. The Ukrainian Ms. Matvienko, known for the timbre of Weekly has been published since 1933. her voice, is the daughter of the famed sing- The benefit will raise funds for the UNA er Nina Matvienko. In 2011, she competed Publications Endowment Fund that exists in the first season of the show “Holos under the aegis of the Ukrainian National Krayiny” (The Voice of the Country), earn- Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) organization that ing second place. She is currently recording performs charitable activities on behalf of a new album. the UNA. The endowment’s goal is to Tickets to the gala, at $150 per person, ensure the future of the two most impor- include a tax-deductible donation of $50 to tant newspapers serving the Ukrainian the UNF – UNA Publications Endowment American community. Fund, a cocktail reception and banquet, a The banquet will feature special guest private performance by the stars of the stars from Ukraine: singers Taras Ukrainian Cultural Festival, VIP parking Petrynenko, Tetiana Horobets and Tonya and admission to the festival. Matvienko, the headliners of the 13th Those wishing to attend should contact Ukrainian Cultural Festival. The master of Soyuzivka by e-mail, soyuzivka-events@ ceremonies for the evening will be Bogdan gmail.com, or by phone, 845-626-5641. Tabaka. Anyone wishing to support this year’s fund- Mr. Petrynenko, a musician as well as a raiser may send a check payable to UNF – singer, is a laureate of the Shevchenko UNA Publications Endowment Fund to: National Prize, Ukraine’s highest honor for Ukrainian National Foundation, 2200 works of culture and the arts. He is known Route 10, Parsippany, NJ 07054. 20 THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY SUNDAY, JUNE 30-JULY 7, 2019 No. 26-27